SEPTEMBER 18, 2024 — With a parade of students from more than 30 nations, remarks from senior military and education officials, a ribbon cutting and a blast of confetti the Department of Defense Education Activity celebrated its newest 21st century school – the Brussels Unit School.
The new, modern school serves more than 270 students from pre-kindergarten all the way through high school and replaces a facility that has been serving the community since the 1960s.
The Director of DoDEA Beth Schiavino-Narvaez spoke at the ceremony and highlighted the versatility of the new school and its 21st century design.
“Long gone are the days of teachers standing at a chalkboard and lecturing to students sitting in rows of desks,” Schiavino-Narvaez said. “This school embodies our commitment to adaptability. With flexible layouts, movable walls, and open spaces, our 21st Century Schools are designed for teachers to adjust their lessons to meet the needs of each individual student.”
With the new facility’s inaugural school year underway, Brussels Unit School Principal Collette Tate echoed how the 21st century design contributes to academic success.
“This school will be here long after we’ve moved on but the design concept and spirits we’ve imbued will remain shaping minds for the future,” Tate said. “Design concepts you see support the high expectations and innovative instructions that have and will continue to lead to nationally recognized and celebrated student achievement.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Europe District oversaw design and construction of the new approximately $37.5 million school in close partnership with DoDEA and U.S. Army Garrison Benelux. It is part of a nearly $2 billion design and construction program Europe District is delivering for DoDEA replacing older schools and facilities across Germany and Belgium.
“At the Army Corps of Engineers, we’re proud of all of our work, but there is a special satisfaction in efforts that directly improve the quality of life for families, and especially children,” said Europe District Commander Col. Dan Kent. “Our whole team took great pride in building this school knowing it will help the teachers and professionals here provide the amazing, world-class educational opportunities that the children of families serving overseas deserve.”
U.S. Army Garrison Benelux Commander Col. Patrick Hofmann highlighted how the impressive new facility will contribute the greater garrison community.
“In Europe, we are exceptionally lucky that our great DoDEA schools are essential to the high quality of life that we strive to provide for our families,” said U.S. Army Garrison Benelux Commander Col. Patrick Hoffman. “This state-of-the-art school here in Brussels adds tremendous value to this vibrant community in the heart of Europe.”
Though U.S. Army Garrison Benelux is an Army installation, it serves a diverse military and international community and the school does as well.
“This building captures the essence of the Brussels Unit community, with every branch of the military represented,” Schiavino-Narvaez said. “This truly is a very special community, with 31 nationalities represented, as part of our partners for peace.”
The school made sure that international flavor was incorporated into the ceremony with students of all ages from several nations participated in a Brussels Unit School tradition – the Parade of Nations.
After that, the ceremony moved outside where officials joined the larger student body assembled outside and cut the ribbon as a blast of confetti showered the excited crowd to celebrate the new school and its bright future.
By Christopher Gardner