Joplin Schools to mark one-year anniversary of tornadoes with groundbreaking ceremonies

(From Joplin Schools)

On Tuesday, May 22, Joplin Schools will mark the one-year anniversary of the tornado with groundbreaking ceremonies at all of the new school site locations. Students, staff, parents, and the community are invited to attend.  

10:30 a.m. - Irving Elementary School groundbreaking at Mercy site. Refreshments and celebration immediately following.

12:00 p.m. - East Middle School and Elementary School at East groundbreakings. Lunch and celebration immediately following.

3:30 p.m. - Joplin High School and Franklin Technology Center groundbreaking ceremony begins. The actual groundbreaking will take place at approximately 3:52 pm. The JHS / FTC groundbreaking is part of a community event planned by the City of Joplin called the Walk of Unity. The walk will start at 2:30 pm at 15th St. Wal-Mart and follow the path of the tornado to Cunningham Park making stops along the way (a smaller group of walkers representing Duquesne will start at 2:00 pm at 20th and Duquesne and walk to Wal-Mart to join the larger group). 

In addition to the JHS / FTC groundbreaking, the walkers will stop at the old Irving site at approximately 4:22 p.m. for children's activities and then continue on to Cunningham Park arriving at 5:00 pm for a formal ceremony. The public is welcome and encouraged to participate in all or portions of the walk.