On Monday local officials gathered to mark completion of the first three phases of the renovation of Julian Curtiss School, which was erected in 1946.
Principal Eduardo Calderón said the renovation preserved the history and character of the building and thanked everyone who played a role, including building committee members, the Board of Education, town officials, superintendent Dr. Toni Jones, district leadership, architects, contractors, staff, families and community members.
Julian Curtiss School building committee chair David Levine, Selectwoman Rachel Khanna, BOE member Veronica Chiavaroli, Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones, JC Principal Eduardo Calderón, Assistant Principal Claribel Michilena, and First Selectman Fred Camillo, BOE member Harry Fisher. Sept 14, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager
With the renovation, there are now exterior ADA ramps and renovated bathrooms to make them fully accessible. The front entrance now features a secure vestibule, and the main office was redesigned for guests to enter without passing through main building. There are additional accessible parking spaces and an elevator now connects the ground floor to the second floor. The cafeteria has also been transformed to be ADA-compliant. A wall that previously enclosed the kitchen and service area was removed. At the other end of the cafeteria, a former small stage was removed to add seating. The ceiling now has acoustic panels to soften the din.
Building committee chair David Levine said the word of the day was “legacy,” He said his wife and children attended JC. He said a new plaque outside the front door honored the legacy of the original building committee chair Bill Kelly.
Julian Curtiss School students also had a chance to cut the green ribbon to mark the school renovation. Pictured with Veronica Chiavaroli (BOE), district superintendent Dr. Toni Jones, Principal Eduardo Calderón, assistant principal Claribel Michilena and building committee chair David Levine. Sept 14, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager
BOE vice Chair Sophie Koven, BET member Doug Fenton, BOE member Bob Chaney at the JC ribbon cutting. Sept 14, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager
“You can see the words, ‘pay it forward,’ which celebrates the work and the way he dedicated his life to our community. We pray that his memory and legacy will inspire future generations of JC students to also pay it forward with their work,” Levine said.
Principal Calderon introduced BOE member Veronica Chiavaroli, who is a member of the JC building committee. He described her as a strong advocate for all scholars, especially those with special needs.
“Her voice and advocacy have helped ensure that accessibility and the needs of all learners remain an important part of this work,” Calderon said.
Ms Chiavaroli said, “While preserving the character and charm of this iconic building, we have also made it more modern, accessible and welcoming. We built an elevator that blends into the hallway as though it has always been there. We created a vibrant front office, a safe and secure front entrance with ramps that preserves the building’s symmetry while providing access for all students and families. And most recently that will not only serve as a place for students to each lunch, but a gathering space for the community.”
She said Phase 4 of the renovation will continue with updates to classrooms, a conference room, an accessible nurse’s suite, and an updated and relocated principal’s office.
Greenwich Schools Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones, State Rep Hector Arzeno (D-151), Veronica Chiavaroli and JC principal Eduardo Calderon. Sept 14,2 026 Photo: Leslie Yager
Julian Curtiss School students had a front row seat at the ribbon cutting before leading guests on tours of the building. Sept 14, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager
Principal Eduardo Calderón introduced Dr. Toni Jones, noting she is the longest serving superintendent in the past 37 years.
“She understands that excellence is about what happens inside our classrooms, but also it’s about ensuring that our scholars and staff have safe, welcoming and modern spaces in which to learn and to work, Calderón said of Dr. Jones. “During her tenure, Greenwich Public Schools has experienced tremendous success. Ten of our elementary schools have been recognized as Schools of Distinction, including Julian Curtiss. GHS has been recently recognized as the second top public school in the state of Connecticut. And one of our Title I schools, New Lebanon, has earned Connecticut Blue Ribbon School recognition.”
Dr. Jones noted that serving on a building committee is a major time commitment.
“We have more construction going on right now in GPS than we’ve had since the 1960s,” Jones said. “It is taking a huge volunteer effort to have wonderful building committees like this one.”
Jones praised Calderón saying the building committee’s favorite part of meeting on Fridays were hearing his morning announcements.
“You bring a sense of energy and children want to be in school,” she said. “When you’re under school construction, you can’t underestimate what it means to have calm and steady leadership.”
She also praised building committee chair Mr. Levine. “The last two summers – it’s hard enough to have a construction project one summer, when it’s a lot of stress and pressure – and are you going to get the ramps and rails done. You’ve done it twice. And you get to do it again next summer.”
BET member Joe Kelly, BOE member Veronica Chiavaroli, BOE member Bob Chaney and building committee chair David Levine. Sept 4,2 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager
Julian Curtiss School PTA co-presidents Lauren Toretta Levine and Stephanie Krupa at the ribbon cutting event. Sept 14, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager
State Rep Steve Meskers (D-150) with BOE member Jonathan Katz and JC building committee member Janet Stone McGuigan. Sept 14, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager
First Selectman Fred Camillo said Julian Curtiss School was the fourth oldest elementary public school in town, noting that in 2026, the building turns 80 years old.
“All of our ribbon cuttings we’ve done for projects that have taken a while or are debated extensively – everyone walks into those buildings and they love it,” he said. “While we always endeavor to thoroughly vet every project and make sure we’re doing it the right way – let’s also remember that Greenwich gets it right in the end. And it’s only because of the volunteers we have here to supplement our wonderful professional staff.”
In an email, Joe Kelly said, “As a member of both the Julian Curtiss Feasibility and Building Committees, it’s gratifying to see this late-1940s brick Georgian schoolhouse thoughtfully modernized and made more ADA accessible, all while its history and character were preserved. This building has always been personal to me: all four of my children walked these halls, and I’m proud it will now serve Greenwich families for generations to come.”
Julian Curtiss School assistant principal Claribel Michilena with professional assistant Virginia Miltner and Elementary School Special Education Coordinator, Deborah Perry.
BET member Joe Kelly and BOE member Jonathan Katz outside the JC Media Center. Sept 14, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager
New elevator at Julian Curtiss School will make a difference in accessibility for children, staff and guests. Sept 14, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager
BOE member Jonathan Katz, BET member Joe Kelly and JC building committee chair, David Levine by the new elevator at Julian Curtiss School. Sept 214, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager
Touring the renovated cafeteria at Julian Curtiss School is not ADA compliant. A wall that previously enclosed the kitchen was removed. A former stage was removed to add seating and the ceiling now has acoustic panels to soften the din. Sept 14, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager
State Rep Steve Meskers (D-150), State Rep district 149 candidate Amiel Goldberg, BET chair David Weisbrod and State Rep Hector Arzeno (D-151) toured the renovated Julian Curtiss School after the ribbon cutting. Sept 14, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager
A wall that previously enclosed the kitchen at Julian Curtiss School was removed as part of the effort to become ADA-compliant. Sept 14, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager
At the far end of the JC cafeteria, a stage used for small performances was removed to add seating and space for a mural. Sept 14, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager
Rendering of the mural proposed for the wall at one end of the renovated JC cafeteria. Sept 24, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager
Colorful artwork at Julian Curtiss School. Sept 14, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager
Though some people think Julian Curtiss School was a WPA project, it was not erected until 1946. It was built following World War II to accommodate the growing local post-war population. Today the school enrolls about 230 students in Pre-K through grade 5. Photo: Leslie Yager
Plaque dedicated to William “Bill” Kelly says, “Pay it Forward.” Mr. Kelly was the original building committee chair, but he passed away in 2024. Sept 14, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager
Julian Curtiss School building committee chair David Levine, Bill Kelly’s wife Barbara and daughters Kristen and Liz Zaccherio pose by a plaque in his memory. Sept 14, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager
Julian Curtiss School students also had a chance to cut a green ribbon to mark the school renovation. Pictured with Veronica Chiavaroli (BOE), district superintendent Dr. Toni Jones, Principal Eduardo Calderón, assistant principal Claribel Michilena and building committee chair David Levine. Sept 14, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager
Ready to cut the green ribbon – JC building committee chair David Levine, Selectwoman Rachel Khanna, BOE member Veronica Chiavaroli, Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones, JC Principal Eduardo Calderón, Assistant Principal Claribel Michilena, First Selectman Fred Camillo, BOE member on the building committee Harry Fisher and Michael Gaudiano. Sept 14, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager
All smiles after the green ribbon is cut! JC building committee chair David Levine, Selectwoman Rachel Khanna, BOE member Veronica Chiavaroli, Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones, JC Principal Eduardo Principal Eduardo Calderón, Assistant Principal Claribel Michilena, First Selectman Fred Camillo, BOE member on the building committee Harry Fisher, Michael Gaudiano and Betsy Galindo. Sept 14, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager
Officials pledge Allegiance at the Julian Curtiss School ribbon cutting. Sept 24, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager
Officials pledge Allegiance at the Julian Curtiss School ribbon cutting. Sept 24, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager
ADA ramps flank the front staircase at Julian Curtiss School. Sept 14, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager
JC Building Committee chair David Levine with son Dax at the ribbon cutting. Sept 14, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager
Amiel Goldberg with a campaign staffer at the Julian Curtiss School ribbon cutting. Sept 14, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager
Former BOE member Jen Behette, Kristen Kelly Colgan and former BOE member Laura Kostin at the Julian Curtiss School ribbon cutting. Sept 14, 2026 Photo: Leslie Yager
Julian Curtiss School on East Elm Street in Greenwich was erected in 1946. Photo: Leslie Yager
Julian Curtiss School on East Elm Street in Greenwich was erected in 1946. Photo: Leslie Yager