Ed. Note: The following article is a news release provided by the Newhall School District.

The Newhall School District is taking a huge step forward to improve its arts and music programs with the groundbreaking of the Newhall Elementary School Auditorium renovation project.

The school district will be breaking ground on the $4.8 million project at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, March 4 at the auditorium, located adjacent to the school at 24607 Walnut Street in Newhall.

The renovation of what will become the Newhall Family Theater for the Performing Arts was made possible through voter-approved Measure E. This modernization is the Newhall District’s final Measure E project.

“The renovation is the culmination of years of Measure E building projects, and we are thrilled to be raising the curtain on this new community asset,” said Newhall District Superintendent Paul Cordeiro. “What is most exciting is that the theater will be a state-of-the-art facility with a focus on young performers from our schools and from the entire community. Any time we give young people an opportunity to showcase their skills, we are supporting their healthy growth and development.”

The Newhall places a strong emphasis on arts and music programs that are truly engaging for students.

“Our district really believes that the arts are integral to a well-rounded education,” Newhall District Board President Suzan Solomon said. “Continuing to invest the arts ensures that our children learn, grow and thrive.”

The Newhall Auditorium was built in 1941 to replace a previous structure that had been destroyed by a fire. Since the mid-1970s, it has primarily been used as a storage space.

Photo courtesy of SCV News.

The renovation will bring the art deco style building into the 21st century while preserving its historic integrity.

When complete, the 529-seat theater will include vastly improved acoustics and audio-visual capabilities, plus an expanded stage, renovated lobby and a new outdoor patio area.

The renovation work is being overseen by local construction management firm Lundgren Management, which has worked with the district on a number of modernization projects.

The Newhall District includes 10 award-winning elementary schools: McGrath, Meadows, Newhall, Oak Hills, Old Orchard, Peachland, Pico Canyon, Stevenson Ranch, Valencia Valley and Wiley Canyon. In addition to its focus on science and technology, the district also emphasizes the arts as integral to its K-6 instructional program.

This year, the district has been letting parents know that no matter where they live, there’s a place for their children in the district.

During a recent open house, district officials provided an overview of district performance and offerings, and informed parents that students do not need to live within Newhall School District boundaries to attend any of the 10 schools.

For information on enrolling a student in the Newhall School District, parents can contact Teri Satorhelyi by phone at (661) 291-4182 or by email .

Later this spring, parents have an opportunity to experience the high caliber of the district’s arts and music programs firsthand, with orchestra and chorus concerts scheduled for May 24 and 25, and June 1 and 2, plus the district’s annual student art show, June 7 at Valencia Valley Elementary School. For more information, call (661) 291-4000.

“Newhall has, year-to-year, been the valley’s highest performing district. There is a pervasive culture of excellence here that manifests itself first and foremost in student achievement of which the arts play a significant role,” Cordeiro said. “With a proven record of excellence, I am not surprised that Measure E voters wholeheartedly endorsed the Newhall Auditorium renovation, and we are grateful for that support.”

For more information on the renovation of the Newhall Elementary auditorium, visit the website.