On Wednesday, Sept. 7, the Junior School celebrated the grand opening of the school's new kitchen, serving area and cafeteria spaces with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a special carnival-themed lunch for students.

Academy President Bart Griffith '93, Lower School Head Dr. Jennifer Asmonga, Assistant Heads of School Melanie Smith and Dan Stern, Director of Facilities Paul Francioni and Metz General Manager Cindy Wise took part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony in the morning, which was attended by fifth and third grade students. Then at lunch time, students utilized the new spaces while enjoying carnival foods including corn dogs, walking tacos, waffle fries, churros and funnel cake.

The new 2,000-square-foot kitchen and serving area was created by renovating the largely underutilized locker rooms adjacent to the gymnasium. The new spaces include two freezers, a refrigerator, convection oven, six-burner stove, steamer, hot and cold serving line, salad bar, dish return room, dry storage room, table storage room, and boys' and girls' restrooms. For two hours a day, a section of the gym now serves as a sizable lunch room for students. The bright new spaces are painted white, blue and gold and decorated with SSA Bulldog logos.  

The former kitchen, serving area and cafeteria space have been transformed into two new classrooms and an administrative office. 

View a photo slideshow below: