207 Class Gift

Class of 207,

I have received some very positive responses towards contributing to the Performing Arts Center Campaign.  One of our classmates suggests a goal of $50,000. Our first 4 commitments already exceed $4,000. At this rate the goal is attainable.

The words “we’ll ne’er forget those days gone by” have greater meaning today than ever. It is now the opportunity for us to guarantee the current and future generations a 4 year experience so special that they will want to keep it alive.

I know you get daily requests for your charitable dollars, let’s “give back” some to Central and let’s make 4/23/22 the date to meet Fred’s goal.

If you’ve already contributed let me know so it can be applied to the 207 Contribution.

Thanks, stay safe and be well,

Art

Key points to help better understand exactly what is underway and how it will help to transform the school

  • The capital campaign is a multi-phase project which began in 2016 and is scheduled to run through 2023. When the PAC phase is complete, upgrades will then occur on the main building, hallway by hallway.
  • The School District of Philadelphia (SDP) has already provided $8.1 million, covering the cost of Phase I! This was completed in June of 2020. It included all the site preparation that will be needed for subsequent phases, including a full landscaping overhaul that will complement the new PAC, major renovations to the parking lot, lighting, walking paths, and ADA accessibility. The school is now much safer with onsite student drop-off, fire engine and other emergency vehicle access to the entire campus, easy egress from the lot after an event, and a new loading dock area.
  • View the Campaign Book for the architectural drawings and other project details.
  • Visit the Leading The Way page for complete details.

Phase II, the new Performing Arts Center

  • Will be on the north lawn and will attach to the second floor of the main building via an enclosed bridge.  The 1st floor will include a lobby that wraps around the PAC and will appear illuminated when in use. It will contain: a gallery space, a box office, a modern acoustically adjustable, flex theater space, five-room back-of-house set-up areas, storage for set props, and dressing rooms.
  • The 2nd floor will include theater seating, a music classroom, a technology classroom, ensemble studio, instrument storage, lockers, a control room, offices, and rehearsal & practice studios.
  • It will be available to other schools much like the new gym (mid 1990’s), it is self-contained so just the PAC can be opened in the evening or the weekend for SDP or community use.
  • The building design won an AIA award in 2020 for MGA Partners Architects in the unbuilt category.

Respectfully acknowledging that everyone’s financial means to donate will vary, we hope that you consider participating with a gift that is meaningful to YOU via our 207 Class Gift page today. It is our unique opportunity as a class to contribute to a once-in-a-generation transformative gift.

Questions?  Send an e-mail to the Alumni Office at alumnioffice@centralhighalumni.com.

Thanks in advance for your support for future students of Central and other great classes that will contribute to the legacy of “Dear Old High”.

Art Hausman, 207 Class Representative

Aerial view of campus with PAC (rendering)
CHS PAC view from the first tier