Crockett Elementary Celebrates Bond 2025 Campus Improvements with Ribbon Cutting

Excitement filled Crockett Elementary on September 22 as approximately 100 students, staff, district leaders and community members gathered to celebrate another San Angelo ISD Bond 2025 milestone — the official opening of the campus’s new cafeteria and kitchen. 

For Crockett Principal Mindy Goodnight, who has led the campus since August 2022, seeing students at the center of the celebration made the occasion especially meaningful. With kindergarten students enjoying the new playground nearby and fifth graders participating in the ceremony, the event highlighted several of the improvements Crockett students are already experiencing.

Three Crockett fifth graders who are members of the campus Morning Crew had the special honor of cutting the ribbon. The student-led Morning Crew produces Crockett’s daily morning show, interviewing students and staff, announcing birthdays and lunch menus, highlighting examples of campus core values and leadership traits, and finding creative ways to keep their classmates connected and engaged. The program provides students with opportunities to develop leadership and communication skills while helping build school spirit and a sense of community across the campus.

“The event turned out to be a wonderful experience,” Mrs. Goodnight said. “It was especially meaningful to hear the kindergarten students enjoying the new playground while also having our fifth graders included in the celebration … The attendance of community members helped make it feel both personal and impactful.”

The new cafeteria and kitchen are part of several Bond 2025 improvements transforming the Crockett Elementary campus, including classroom additions, a new playground, and new parking and student drop-off areas.

Students and staff have eagerly watched the projects take shape, but Mrs. Goodnight said their excitement since beginning to use the new spaces has surpassed expectations. One recent interaction with a group of fourth graders illustrated just how much the improvements already mean to Crockett students.

“Today, a large group of fourth-grade students could not wait to thank me for the playground and greeted me with the biggest hugs,” Mrs. Goodnight said. “Seeing their genuine joy and appreciation was incredibly rewarding and warmed my heart more than I can adequately express. Moments like these serve as a powerful reminder of the positive impact that investments in our students and school community can have on their daily experiences.”

The new cafeteria is significantly larger than Crockett’s previous facility, providing additional room in the student dining area as well as expanded kitchen and serving spaces. The modern facility features a bright, welcoming design and updated equipment that provides cafeteria staff with additional space to serve students efficiently. The new cafeteria also includes a stage, creating a dedicated space for student performances, celebrations and other campus events. 

“Students are already looking forward to their first opportunity to perform there, and it will provide new possibilities for programs, celebrations and campus events,” Mrs. Goodnight said.

Before opening the new cafeteria, Crockett staff worked together to establish new procedures and expectations, and teachers brought students through the space for a practice run to familiarize them with the new layout. Mrs. Goodnight said the preparation helped make the transition a smooth one for students and staff. 

While the improvements are already changing the everyday experience at Crockett, they will also play an important role in the campus’s future as Crockett prepares for the merger with Bowie Elementary. The additional classroom and cafeteria space will help accommodate a growing student population, but Mrs. Goodnight said the goal goes beyond simply having enough room.

Crockett is preparing to welcome Bowie students and families into a campus where they feel valued, supported and connected from the beginning.

“With a caring staff, student leaders who model kindness and inclusion, and a facility designed to bring people together, we believe the new additions will play an important role in fostering relationships and strengthening our school community as we move forward together,” said Mrs. Goodnight.

The improvements were made possible through San Angelo ISD’s voter-approved Bond 2025 program, an investment Mrs. Goodnight hopes community members will be proud to see taking shape.

“I realize that for many community members, voting in favor of the bond was a difficult decision,” said Mrs. Goodnight. “My hope is that, as they see these new additions in use, they will view them as money well spent and an investment in the best interests of our students.”

San Angelo ISD extends its sincere appreciation to the voters and community members whose support made these improvements possible, as well as the students, staff, families, district leaders and community partners who joined Crockett Elementary in celebrating this exciting milestone. As Bond 2025 projects continue to take shape across the district, SAISD looks forward to seeing the lasting impact these investments will have on students, families and the San Angelo community for generations to come.

📸 Relive the celebration! View photos from the Crockett Elementary Ribbon Cutting by clicking here.

To stay up-to-date on San Angelo ISD Bond 2025 projects, please visit the SAISD Bond 2025 website at SAISD.org/bond2025. To stay up-to-date on San Angelo ISD, please visit saisd.org and follow us on Instagram and Facebook.