With the new school construction as a backdrop, students, parents, staff and neighbors came out on Friday to add their signatures to a steel beam that will be used in the construction of the new Condit Elementary School.

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The school, located at 7000 South Third in Bellaire, is being built adjacent to the existing building while students continue to attend classes. Throughout the afternoon, a steady stream of stakeholders turned out for the opportunity to sign the beam and view the latest construction progress.

“This is a happy thing,” said Condit parent and Project Advisory Team member Peggi Newhouse. “It’s getting real for us now – we see changes every day.”

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The new $24.3 million facility will feature a centralized learning commons area surrounded by a two-story cluster of classrooms, an open concept design with plenty of natural light, and flexible work spaces.

Condit was among the first schools to break ground under HISD’s $1.89 billion bond program to rebuild or renovate 40 schools. The school is set to open in time for the start of the 2016-2017 school year.