An artist’s rendering depicts the renovated Newhall Family Theater for the Performing Arts. The Newhall School District is breaking ground on the $4.8 million project March 4.

The Newhall School District is taking a huge step forward in improving its already excellent arts and music programs, with the groundbreaking of the Newhall Elementary School Auditorium renovation project, at 3:30 p.m., Friday, March 4.

The auditorium is adjacent to the school, located at 24607 Walnut St. in Newhall.

The renovation of what will become the Newhall Family Theater for the Performing Arts was made possible through voter-approved Measure E. This $4.8 million modernization is the Newhall District’s final Measure E project.

“The renovation is the culmination of years of Measure E building projects, and we are thrilled to be raising the curtain on this new community asset,” Newhall District Superintendent Paul Cordeiro said. “What is most exciting is that the theater will be a state-of-the-art facility with a focus on young performers from our schools and from the entire community. Any time we give young people an opportunity to showcase their skills, we are supporting their healthy growth and development.”

As the highest-performing elementary school district in the Santa Clarita Valley, the Newhall places a strong emphasis on arts and music programs that are truly engaging for students.

“Our district really believes that the arts are integral to a well-rounded education,” Newhall District Board President Suzan Solomon said. “Continuing to invest the arts ensures that our children learn, grow and thrive.”

The Newhall Elementary School auditorium was built in 1941. Having served primarily as a storage space since the 1970s, once its $4.8 million renovation is complete it will be a performing arts center for Newhall School District students and the community.

The Newhall Auditorium was built in 1941 to replace a previous structure that had been destroyed by a fire. Since the mid-1970s, it has primarily been used as a storage space. The renovation will bring the art deco style building into the 21st century while preserving its historic integrity. When complete, the 529-seat theater will include vastly improved acoustics and audio-visual capabilities, plus an expanded stage, renovated lobby and a new outdoor patio area. The renovation work is being overseen by local construction management firm Lundgren Management, which has worked with the District on a number of modernization projects.

The Newhall District includes 10 award-winning elementary schools: McGrath, Meadows, Newhall, Oak Hills, Old Orchard, Peachland, Pico Canyon, Stevenson Ranch, Valencia Valley and Wiley Canyon. In addition to its focus on science and technology, the District also emphasizes the arts as integral to its K-6 instructional program.

This year, the District has been letting parents know that no matter where they live, there’s a place for their children in the District. During a recent open house, District officials provided an overview of District performance and offerings, and informed parents that students do not need to live within Newhall School District boundaries to attend any of the 10 schools. For information on enrolling a student in the Newhall School District, parents can contact Teri Satorhelyi at (661) 291-4182 or tsatorhelyi@newhall.k12.ca.us.

Later this spring, parents have an opportunity to experience the high caliber of the District’s arts and music programs firsthand, with orchestra and chorus concerts scheduled for May 24 and 25, and June 1 and 2, plus the District’s annual student art show, June 7 at Valencia Valley Elementary School. For more information, call (661) 291-4000.

“Newhall has, year-to-year, been the Valley’s highest performing district. There is a pervasive culture of excellence here that manifests itself first and foremost in student achievement of which the arts play a significant role,” Cordeiro said. “With a proven record of excellence, I am not surprised that Measure E voters wholeheartedly endorsed the Newhall Auditorium renovation, and we are grateful for that support.”

For more information on the renovation of the Newhall Elementary auditorium, visit www.raisingthecurtain.org.