GISD hosts ribbon-cutting ceremony for Summerfield Early Childhood Center’s reopening

FLINT, Michigan — Genesee Intermediate School District (GISD) will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 22 to celebrate the reopening of Summerfield Early Childhood Education Center, marking the completion of major facility renovations aimed at enhancing safety, accessibility, and learning environments for Flint’s youngest students.

The ceremony will begin at 10:00 AM in the Summerfield gymnasium and will include remarks from district leadership, community partners, and a public tour of the newly upgraded spaces.

According to GISD, the most critical updates addressed structural and safety concerns in the decades-old facility. These included a new roof, an improved parking lot, and upgraded electrical and HVAC systems. A secure main entrance was also constructed to screen visitors and bolster building security.

“The foundation of the building was the biggest priority to ensure a safe learning environment for students was maintained,” said Jodi Ramos, Executive Director of Early Childhood Programs at GISD.

In addition to infrastructure improvements, the renovations created new learning and meeting spaces designed to support both student development and family engagement.

“Having an environment we know is safe for learning will allow staff to focus on meeting the needs of families and students,” said Ramos. “With the creation of new spaces, the Summerfield team now has space for private conversations with families to support their needs and provide resources.”

The project was made possible through a partnership between GISD, the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, and Flint Community Schools. Ramos said the collaboration was rooted in a shared commitment to the city’s children.

“Our partnership with Mott Foundation and Flint Community Schools continues to provide opportunities to offer high-quality early childhood education in Flint,” she said. “Knowing that our visions for supporting growth in the community are in alignment allows our partnership to thrive and continue to focus on long-term impact for children and families.”

During the ceremony, attendees will have the opportunity to walk through the newly renovated classrooms, gymnasium, and gathering spaces. For Ramos, the most meaningful moment will be seeing her staff back in a building they call home.

“The excitement of the staff to return to Summerfield to provide services to their students and families—that’s what I’m most looking forward to,” she said. “They are excited to return to the neighborhood and provide services to the families back at home.”

GISD leaders stated that the reopening reflects the district’s long-standing commitment to early childhood education. Summerfield will continue serving families through Head Start, Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP), Early On, and special education services.

“Partnering with Mott Foundation and Flint Community Schools on renovating Summerfield allows us to continue to provide high-quality programming in an area that has continuously shown a need for services,” said Ramos.

To learn more about Genesee Intermediate School District, visit geneseeisd.org or call GISD Communications and Development at (810) 591-4426.