Marking an intermediate point in construction, JE Dunn Construction held a topping out ceremony for the new Juliette Low Elementary School being built at 15 Blue Ridge Avenue. Once completed, the new, 127,000-square-foot brick-veneered building will feature a state-of-the-art media center and wing dedicated for special needs students.

“A topping out ceremony is an opportunity to celebrate our successes to date and gear up for the work to come,” said Ryan Price, vice president, JE Dunn. “It’s also an opportunity to thank those who have gotten us to this point, since a large project like this does not happen without others’ help.”

The construction of Juliette Low Elementary School is right on schedule, with completion expected in August 2017. The brand new, kindergarten through fifth grade elementary school will complement the neighborhood and enhance its surroundings. Though the exterior will be traditional, the interior will be clean, crisp and incorporate all of the features of modern and efficient design.

Topping out ceremonies can be traced to the ancient Scandinavian practice of placing a tree atop a new building to appease the tree-dwelling spirits displaced during construction. Today, it typically marks a midway point in construction.