One of my best memories is when we had the official opening ceremony for the new facility in the summer of 1996. After two years of construction, the former St Philomena’s Church and school building was ready to be occupied by over 300 CDS students, who had been housed at the former Hebrew Institute. With the hard work of our architects, board members, and CDS staff and a $3 million grant from the Federation’s Renaissance campaign, we were ready to move into our new facility. This renovated building with new modern equipment and an excellent field would enable the school to grow and advance its already excellent educational programming. The official opening was attended by many members of the Jewish community, but also by former members of the parish and several nuns who had taught at St Philomena’s school. They were delighted that their former home was going to be used as another school.