The hammering is dying down, the steamrollers have left and the landscapers are finishing up.

Alvarado Intermediate School has been transformed into a model campus in Rowland Heights, following a $5 million renovation that's taken several years.

The four phases of construction don't seem to have phased Principal Ying L. Tsao. In fact, the administrator couldn't be happier with her "new" school.

"The staff and students are thrilled by the remodeled classrooms and campus," Tsao said. "The contractor worked on two wings at a time and they should be finished by the end of September."

When their construction tools have been put away, the crews will have remodeled 26 classrooms at the busy campus on Desire

The Rowland Unified School District repaved Desire Avenue in Rowland Heights. (Staff photo by Watchara Phomicinda)
Avenue. Even the road in front of the school has been repaved.

"The road was terrible because it had big potholes in it. Our office manager even bent the rim of her tire in one," the principal explained. "Unfortunately, it was a private access road so the county couldn't fix it. Finally, the school district agreed to repave the street along our property."

So a private road crew repaved the street in August, just in time for the start of school in Rowland Unified.

"The staff and parents are very happy with the new road. It's much safer for everyone," Tsao said.