Groundbreaking for Ellington School

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By Kay Twomey

Former Mayor Vincent C. Gray is flanked by interim head of school Desepe de Vargas (left), DC Public Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson, Ellington co-founder Peggy Cooper-Cafritz, and Ellington board president Charles Barber. Photo by Brian Nielsen.

Former Mayor Vincent C. Gray is flanked by interim head of school Desepe de Vargas (left), DC Public Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson, Ellington co-founder Peggy Cooper-Cafritz, and Ellington board president Charles Barber. Photo by Brian Nielsen.

On December 19, Mayor Vincent C. Gray led school officials and community leaders in the official groundbreaking of the Duke Ellington School for the Arts modernization project.

Held on the front lawn of the school, the program featured brief remarks, beautiful vocal and instrumental music by Ellington students, and the ceremonial "first" shovel. The school is expected to reopen in 2016.