Mayor Jim Kenney and School District of Philadelphia Superintendent William Hite last week attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new building at Solomon Solis-Cohen Elementary School, 7001 Horrocks St.
Principal Michelina Serianni cut the ribbon for the 140,000 square-foot building that serves 1,400 students in kindergarten through fifth grade. The building also was awarded a LEED Gold Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
The former building was demolished.
Hite, who is leaving at the end of the academic year, said he wished every school had a building as nice as Solis-Cohen. He described it as aesthetically pleasing, with a brick building matching neighborhood homes, and environmentally friendly, with a green roof.
Hite was also impressed with the musical performance by students, led by teacher Haley Ferrigno.
Leticia Egea-Hinton, vice president of the board of education, described the school as safe and welcoming.
Groundbreaking took place in 2018.
“It’s been a very long journey but well worth it,” Serianni said.
Serianni said students receive an enriching, well-rounded experience in a clean environment, with outdoor spaces for exercise. Arts, music and athletics are available for students. ••
