SW New Mexico News

Fairacres Elementary School in Las Cruces celebrated its 50th anniversary with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its newly renovated and expanded facilities. The event was attended by students, teachers, members of the Las Cruces Public Schools Board of Education, district staff, and representatives from AKS Architecture.

The celebration featured performances by Fairacres' third graders singing the national anthem, a bucket drum ensemble, the Picacho Middle School Scorpion Jazz Band, and the Mayfield High School drum line. LCPS President Pamela Cort and Superintendent Ignacio Ruiz gave opening remarks before the Fairacres Student Lighthouse team expressed gratitude to voters and staff for their support during construction.

Principal Jana Ward shared her enthusiasm for the new facilities: "I am filled with excitement for all the amazing things our students will accomplish here. Our new fifth-grade classrooms, our state-of-the-art computer lab, and our vibrant art and music rooms are going to unlock even more opportunities for our Tigers to dream big, work hard, and be kind to one another. I have no doubt that the future of our school is brighter than ever."

The renovations mark a significant transformation in Fairacres' history. The project aligns with LCPS's vision to create spaces where learners thrive. The 22,000 square-foot addition includes a multipurpose room with a stage, a new kitchen, four classrooms, additional support spaces, an expanded lobby with restrooms for events, new playground equipment, outdoor learning areas, shade canopies, improved drainage systems, and an emergency access road.

Former cafeteria and kitchen areas were repurposed into a music classroom, an art classroom, a parent workroom, a special education classroom, and a computer lab.