New Sandy Hook Elementary School Unveiled

On Friday morning, Newtown hosted a media access day at the new Sandy Hook Elementary School (SHS). From left, Steve Flick, project superintendent with Consigli Construction Co., Inc. and Julia McFadden, architectual project manager with Svigals + Partners, guide members of the press through a new classroom. The pre-k through grade five school opens to 375 students on August 29.

On Friday morning, Newtown hosted a media access day at the new Sandy Hook Elementary School (SHS). The pre-k through grade five school opens to 375 students on August 29. Two playgrounds are located at each end of the new school.

On Friday morning, Newtown hosted a media access day at the new Sandy Hook Elementary School (SHS). The pre-k through grade five school opens to 375 students on August 29.

This is the entrance road to the new Sandy Hook Elementary School (SHS). On Friday morning, Newtown hosted a media access day. The pre-k through grade five school opens to 375 students on August 29.

On Friday morning, Newtown hosted a media access day at the new Sandy Hook Elementary School (SHS). The pre-k through grade five school opens to 375 students on August 29.

Newtown superintendent of schools, Dr. Joseph V. Erardi, Jr., speaks with members of the media following a press conference on Friday morning at the new Sandy Hook Elementary School (SHS). The newly-constructed, $50 million pre-k through grade five school opens to 375 students on August 29.

On Friday morning, Newtown hosted a media access day at the new Sandy Hook Elementary School (SHS). The pre-k through grade five school opens to 375 students on August 29.

Newtown First Selectman Pat Llodra reflects during a news conference on the opening of the new Sandy Hook Elementary School.   (Patrick Raycraft/Hartford Courant )

The new Sandy Hook Elementary School (SHS) features three courtyards and one amphitheater in the rear of the building. On Friday morning, Newtown hosted a media access day at the pre-k through grade five school. School opens on August 29.

A central feature of the new Sandy Hook Elementary School is the large central atrium which contains large glass windows that provide a lot of natural light.   (Patrick Raycraft / Hartford Courant)

The horizon of Newtown and the ecology of water are two major design themes for the newly-finished Sandy Hook School. On Friday morning, Newtown hosted a media access day at the new Sandy Hook Elementary School (SHS). The pre-k through grade five school opens to 375 students on August 29.

On Friday morning, Newtown hosted a media access day at the new Sandy Hook Elementary School (SHS). The pre-k through grade five school opens to 375 students on August 29. A weathervane at the school features an eagle, the school’s mascot.

“We continue to rebuild. We continue to recover,” says Sandy Hook Elementary School (SHS) principal Dr. Kathy Gombos on Friday morning about the three and a half years since the Sandy Hook tragedy in Dec. 2012. On Friday, Newtown hosted a media access day at the new $50 million school. The pre-k through grade five school opens to 375 students on August 29.

Locks on classroom doors are still in the process of being installed at the new Sandy Hook Elementary School (SHS). On Friday morning, Newtown hosted a media access day. The new, $50 million pre-k through grade five school opens to 375 students on August 29.

This large mosaic greets students, staff and visitors at the front of the lobby of the new school.   (Patrick Raycraft/Hartford Courant )