The Moore Public Schools Foundation, in partnership with MPS and Bridges, Inc., held the Bridges of Moore Village groundbreaking celebration with more than 100 education partners, and community donors and supporters at the acreage just behind Sky Ranch Elementary in south Oklahoma City.  

 

The Southmoore Jazz Band played holiday hits as guests arrived, members of Westmoore's Pom and Cheer squads pepped up the crowd and the Moore High Mane Attraction Choir performed holiday songs. Before the event began, Sky Ranch 4th graders were led by Music Teacher Bobby Duncan in a traditional holiday song and afterward, MPSF Board Member Skyler Parker gave an invocation.

 

MPSF Executive Director Lizzy Bozarth welcomed everyone and thanked them for braving the cold and joining her in celebrating a new beginning for MPS students in need. She also acknowledged community members and donors who have invested $10,000 or more to support Bridges of Moore:

Executive members of the Moore and South OKC Chambers of Commerce attended and honored Dr. Robert Romines and Bozarth with a Certificate of Groundbreaking to commemorate the event. Also in attendance were Moore Police Chief Todd Gibson, Moore Mayor Mark Hamm, Moore Norman Technology Center Superintendent Brian Ruttman, and professionals representing dozens of local businesses and community partnerships.

 

"I'm so proud of our students and our community. This is a legacy project that so many of us will look to throughout the years and remember the work and heart we put into it for the benefit of MPS students who are in need. That will always be the most important work that any of us can do. 

 

"To know that our Superintendent's Leadership Academy students have been a main driver of the fundraising is so heartwarming and I'm so proud of them," said Romines.   

Local businesses HTeaO, Nothing Bundt Cakes and Scooters provided warm drinks and goodies for guests and Dr. Julie Wiley sponsored festive balloons for the site. Crockstar and Toby Keith’s in Moore donated in-kind items, and First Fidelity Bank employees donated dozens of volunteer hours to the event.

To learn more about the Bridges of Moore concept for supporting high school students who are shelter insecure or homeless and to see renderings of what the Bridges of Moore Village will look like, visit www.mooreschools.com/BuildingBridges.

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