“I pledge allegiance to the flag" chorused a group of Head Start/Early Start children to a large crowd at the Tuesday, October 13, 2009 Grand Opening ceremony of the newly renovated Jordan Elementary School.

Gathered under a tent in front of the school, representatives from a wide range of government agencies and Head Start/Early Start, along with representatives from Renker Eich Parks Architects, Hennessy Construction Services, Jordan Park Elementary alumni and guests celebrated the history embodied in the building and well as what the renovation will mean for future generations of midtown St. Petersburg.  Deputy Mayor, Dr. Goliath J. Davis III presided over the ceremony and spoke to the evolution of this building from its origins in 1925 to the “green” restoration.  

Joining the Deputy Mayor were Mayor Rick Baker, Council Chair Jeff Danner, Council Member Wengay “Newt” Newton, III, M. Pinellas County Head Start/Early Start Executive Director M. Juanita Heinzen and several others.  Each spoke to the impact that the facility will have on the Midtown area and the positive influence programs like Head Start/Early start have on children. Head Start Alumni Joseph Harris, a recent graduate of Florida A & M University, commented on how the lessons he learned in Head Start set the foundation for all of the successes he has achieved in his life.

The audience was treated to a group of children singing the Head Start song as well as a group of alumni singing the Jordan School Hymn.

Tours and light refreshments were offered following the ceremony.