The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons of the State of California in conjunction with the Fresno Masonic King Solomon Lodge #6 and Fresno Unified School District hosted a special cornerstone celebration on November 1 commemorating the recent opening of Rutherford B. Gaston Sr. Middle School. This Masonic tradition is held to memorialize the foundational beginnings of a new public building. During the ceremony, a time capsule will be placed in an exterior wall and covered with a dedicated cornerstone plaque. The school’s namesake, Rutherford “Bud” Gaston Sr., was a long-time Fresno Unified educator and a member of the King Solomon Lodge. Rutherford B. Gaston Sr. Middle School opened on August 18 in southwest Fresno. After more than 35 years, southwest Fresno received its own middle school, ending decades of busing students to other district middle schools. The new school showcases modern two-story architecture featuring a foyer entrance, a 36-classroom academic wing with large windows and natural light, short throw projectors, environmentally friendly polished concrete floors, and career technology education (CTE) classrooms. Unique to any other middle school in the district, Gaston’s CTE rooms feature roll up doors providing both indoor and outdoor learning opportunities and student conference rooms promoting collaboration. Additionally, students enjoy a multipurpose room with choral and orchestra band rooms, a food court style cafeteria and a shaded exterior amphitheater. Gaston students participate in a rigorous curriculum of career and project based learning opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Gaston provides a community gathering place with its large gymnasium, locker rooms, snack bar, indoor and outdoor courts and numerous athletic playing fields. The new campus has parking for school and community use and houses the first Fresno Unified school-based Health and Wellness Center serving patients ages 0-19.