K-12 Modernizations
Elementary and middle school programs are essential for the cognitive,
emotional and social development of every child. These important stages
of the educational process influence the course
and ultimate success of a childās educational and life journey.
 Given this, the final objective of this proposal is the renovation,
modernization and upgrading of all elementary school and middle school
facilities in the district. It includes acquiring and installing
technology equipment in order to close the technology gap. As more
advanced tools are made available to students and teachers, technology
will be infused across the curriculum and into all programs. The
proposal also incorporates the development of The Early Childhood
Development Center, a centerpiece facility for the Early Childhood
Development Program. Satellite facility locations will be developed at
seven existing elementary school buildings in support of the ECD program
in order to extend the program into the community and to ensure
accessibility throughout the district.
Goals
The Superintendentās Comprehensive Facilities Recommendations were the
result of widespread community and staff participation in a process to
determine the essential needs that will enable
the district to move forward. This effort resulted in a broad set of
recommendations about pre K-12 programs, instructional technology needs,
and priorities for facilities modernization and expansion. Student
achievement and program issues have driven the discussion, and the
facilities and technology plans have been developed based on these
instructional needs.
Instructional Services staff, principals, and school staffs shared their
ideas concerning the most important program needs. At the elementary
level, increased opportunities for extended day options, such as EDO
Kindergarten, as well as improving the pre-school facilities and
expanding the pre-school program, were identified as top priorities. At
the middle school level, the principals stated their commitment to the
house system currently in place. In addition, they requested space
configuration be reviewed to search for opportunities for increased team
teaching. Flexible spaces and flexible furniture were examples of
facility changes called for by program needs. Another concern at the
middle school level is special education program needs, where rooms of
appropriate size with suitable features are required to offer programs
based on current best practices. It was determined that, at the middle
school and elementary school levels, overall space is adequate with the
exception of additions needed at some schools to accommodate extended
day options.
The technology implementation plan is based on national standards
regarding technology tools and student and teacher technology
proficiency, as well as instructional needs of teachers in the district.
At the elementary level, the technology tools required by the Balanced
Literacy program are delineated
in the technology plan. Further, the potential to improve communication
between home and school and increase teacher and staff efficiency is
supported by the web presence and increased use of technology tools
outlined in the plan. Across all grade levels, electronic student
portfolios are a way for students
to gain self-assessment skills as well as to showcase their best work.
In addition, sound enhancement technology clearly addresses some
assistive technology needs of students with attention disorders and may
have a profound impact on student performance. Positive and productive
classroom climate is supported by this technology.
The goals of this project can be summed up as follows:
- To provide the best facilities possible to support an ongoing
commitment to elementary and middle school education.
- To ensure equity and accessibility to all students of the Ann Arbor
Public Schools Family.
- To modernize various features of each elementary and middle school
building.
- To update instructional technology.
- To develop seven satellite facility locations in support of the Early
Childhood Development Program and in direct association with the new
Early Childhood Development Center in order to extend the program into
the community and to ensure accessibility throughout the district.
Process
A four-stage process was used to determine the improvements at each
school building. First, each building staff developed their own
improvement and renovation list in conjunction with the 2001 facilities
update. Second, each building was toured with the construction manager,
the building principal, and administrative staff to prioritize the
building plan. Third, needs lists were finalized after considering
all basic facilities needs, enhancements to promote student learning,
and other improvements for the community. Finally, principals worked
with the architects and construction management team to prioritize the
needs lists within cost parameters set for the overall project.
Objectives
Features:
The modernization of the 21 elementary school buildings and five middle
school buildings will include the following features across the
district. Technology infrastructure and barrier free accessibility to
everyone will be implemented at each school; however, other features
will not necessarily be incorporated in each building.
- Wireless infrastructure, telephones, and cable television to improve
the technology capabilities for all curriculum offerings.
- Full accessibility to allow equal access for all to school facilities.
- New security systems and replacement of fire alarm systems to increase
safety.
- New windows, lighting, flooring, ceilings, furnishings, and various
remodeling projects to improve the environment of classrooms and other
learning spaces.
- Remodeling of classroom toilets and large toilet rooms.
- New corridor lockers to alleviate crowding in elementary classrooms.
- Various enhancements of corridor lighting, flooring, and ceilings to
improve building aesthetics and acoustics.
- Reconfiguration of dead-end corridors to improve traffic flow.
- Improvements to gym facilities, including pool areas, to enhance
physical education and athletics.
- Updates to media centers to enhance literacy across the curriculum.
- Upgrades to auditoriums, multipurpose rooms, and stages to enhance
student and community performances and enrich school and community
activities.
- Improvements to administrative office areas to improve access and
aesthetics.
- Updates to entryways to create more inviting entrances to school
buildings.
- Landscaping and site improvements to increase curb appeal and safety.
- Updates of parking lots and sidewalks to augment aesthetics and
safety.
- Improvements of playgrounds to enhance physical activity and increase
safety.
- Upgrades of food service equipment and kitchens to enhance food
preparation and food serving.
- Upgrades of mechanical equipment to improve energy performance of
buildings.
- Upgrades of electrical equipment to improve energy performance of
buildings and ensure power availability in all classrooms.
A new addition will be added to each of six elementary schools (Allen,
Dicken, Lakewood, Mitchell, Thurston, and Wines), and one elementary
school (Northside) will be remodeled, to accommodate the Early Childhood
Development Program. In addition, each of these seven elementary schools
will receive a new early childhood playground to accommodate pre-K
children.
Scarlett Middle School is slated for a special emphasis initiative to
recreate the building as a model middle school and a community centered
school.
Successful Architecture:
- Design shall be driven by program and curricular goals and objectives.
- Design shall be reflective of the educational philosophies of the
district.
- Design shall respect the scale, mobility, and perception of children.
- Design will have security and safety as a primary concern.
- Design shall be accessible to all and be barrier free/ADA compliant
- The design shall strive to create facilities that also teach and can
be used as actual learning aids.
- The design shall strive for energy efficiency, the avoidance of use of
materials which have significant toxins, the use of materials which are
renewable and sympathetic to our environment, and support the recycling
of materials as an effort to comply with sustainability goals and
standards.
- The design shall seek to reduce operational costs wherever possible.
- Color, lighting, materials, textures and acoustics shall be utilized
as design elements in support of the educational programs and philosophy
- Views, spatial effects, scale and proportion, shall be employed to
support and stimulate learning, interaction, intimacy, and the
educational programs and philosophy.
- Flexibility will be supported by the design to ensure adaptability and
adjustability.
- Planning shall respect functional proximity and use requirements in
order to facilitate ease of use by staff and public.
Time Line:
The modernization work will begin in 2005 and continue for the next 5 to
7 years. Certain projects, selected based on the minimum possible
disruption to students, will occur during the school year.
Other projects, which would be more disruptive to the educational
process, will be undertaken during
the summer. Safety of students and staff are the first priority. |
