Fremont school gets big finish

The gymnasium, playground and art room topped students' list of favorite places, while spacious hallways and room to expand caught parents' attention.

Everyone seemed to like what they saw Sunday, during the dedication and open house for Fremont Intermediate School in Mundelein.

"It took a community to do this and we wanted to celebrate with them," said Fremont District 79 Superintendent Rick Taylor. "A new school symbolizes the community's commitment to education in the Fremont school district."

Until the building was finished, students and staff had only been able to utilize certain classrooms. Now, they have access to the whole building and all of its amenities.

The school opened last September, even though all of the work was not complete.

About 760 students in grades three through five attend the school, which was paid for by $22 million in building bonds approved by referendum.

Students from a fourth grade class were asked to write an essay on their favorite part of the new school. Their answers hung in a main hallway for parents to see on Sunday.

Martin Beltran loves gym, the art room and the playground because, "No one can boss me around."

Amanda Diaz loves the school's main entrance.

"One of the things I like most about the main entrance is the grand staircase," Diaz wrote. "When I go down the staircase I feel like a princess."

Lisa Chuma was escorted around the school Sunday by her daughter, fourth-grader Kate. Chuma was impressed with the computer lab, but Kate's priorities were a little different.

"I'm going to have to say I like the cafeteria best," Kate said. "Before we had to eat at the elementary school and the selection was no good."