September means time to head back to school, and for students of Richardson Middle School, that also means enjoying the campus’ new physical education facilities. In April, Richardson celebrated the grand opening of its brand new gymnasium, complete with basketball courts and boys’ and girls’ locker rooms. Richardson also recently revamped the outside playground area with six new basketball courts and five new volleyball courts.
“The play that our students are now receiving is vital to their success as students,” said Ian Drummond, principal, in the school’s newsletter.
“The physical activity keeps the kids healthy but it also helps them release energy, which results in a greater ability to focus during classroom time.”
Richardson also now features brand new state-of-the-art science labs, new roofing, reflective windows, concrete pathways, paint, lights and many more improvements that enhance the learning environment.
All of the modernization projects are part of Torrance Bond Measures T and U, which were passed in 2014 to support upgrades in our local schools. These upgrades include enhanced science labs and renovated playgrounds at elementary schools and new gymnasiums and lockers at middle schools. Modernization projects at the local high schools include new lockers, renovated auxiliary gyms, new auditoriums for arts instruction and performance, upgraded physical education facilities, and a new aquatic center for swimming programs.
All schools also have or will receive upgraded safety and security systems and technology. Riviera residents who lived here before 1986 may remember that Richardson Middle School opened as Newton School in 1955, originally serving grades k-8. It changed to Newton Middle school in 1972 and was converted to an adult school in 1986. It was renamed Edward J. Richardson Middle School after a retiring superintendent, and reopened in 1993 to service grades 6-8.
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