Revamp, remodel and rework

Update for 2017-18 school year

Principal Richard Cook takes yearbook students on tour of the new addition. As they stand in the new science classroom he explains what makes them differ from our science classrooms. The classrooms will be equipped with updated science materials like new lab tables, new sinks and gas lines to all the lab tables.

Photo Sarah Shevrovich

Principal Richard Cook takes yearbook students on tour of the new addition. As they stand in the new science classroom he explains what makes them differ from our science classrooms. The classrooms will be equipped with updated science materials like new lab tables, new sinks and gas lines to all the lab tables.

One word that describes all of the changes for 2018 school year: excited. Principal Richard Cook and science teacher Diane Brooks use the word “excited” when describing the changes for the 2018 school year.

“I’m excited. We are doing things so that they largely aren’t together. We are also very sensitive to the age difference,” Cook said when asked about the integration of the 7th grade to the high school building. “There is a junior high here that needs it’s own atmosphere.”

The updates and additions, including a new gym, new science classrooms and new computer labs, to the school are scheduled to be completed in late August.

“The vast majority of the school will be closed until it is completed sometime in late August,” Cook said.

Sarah Shevrovich
Outdated. The chemistry classroom consists of original lab tables and leaky sinks, and chemistry teacher Allyson Moran finds it harder to teach labs in an outdated equipped room. “The lessons aren’t affected, but labs are harder to do and organize it adds difficulty,” Moran said.

The state no longer requires starting the school year after Labor Day, but the requirement for 180 days in a school year still is a standard.

“I’d rather have it start earlier than go later,” earth science and wildlife biology teacher Diane Brooks said. “It’s hard to keep kids on task in the summer.”

All of these changes could be stressful on the teachers. They have to continue to teach while also clearing out their rooms.

“I’m excited about having a science classroom. I’ve never had a real one before,” Brooks said.