Be mindful of the environment and incorporate it into the learning atmosphere. Make sure the building promotes efficient collaboration and inclusivity.
And don’t make the kids walk so far between classes.
Those were among the recommendations that a group of roughly 45 community members began to articulate Tuesday for the future of Rundlett Middle School. The first of three four-hour sessions included teachers, administrators, parents – and even two students.
The district has hired an architectural firm to begin planning either a major renovation or rebuilding of the aging middle school.
“How can we do the best job we can educating our kids?” asked David Stephen, a consultant from New Vista Design who has a background in architecture and education and is working with HMFH Architects on the project.
“The building can certainly help us do that, but it’s really developing a very clear sense of that mission that I think will help guide this whole effort.”
The attendees passed a microphone around the room and voiced their top priorities for a redesign. They said they hoped the school would be versatile enough to promote all kinds of collaboration – not just among students but between teachers of different disciplines and with nonprofits and other community partners after hours.
Stephen noted that teachers sometimes request only the bare minimum: “So often as educators we get kind of focused on just, ‘I want windows to work’ or ‘I want a room that is not too cold, not too hot,’ ” he said.
But he said he hoped people would think about the big picture.
“I want to encourage everyone to be as aspirational as possible,” he said.
The responses covered a spectrum of ideas: improving the performing arts and athletics, balancing safety concerns with a welcoming atmosphere, including more hands-on learning and also offering secluded spaces for quiet contemplation, and boosting traffic flow and physical accessibility.
The “visioning workshop” will continue with two more four-hour sessions beginning at 4 p.m. at Rundlett Middle School on March 21 and 28. The district asks anyone who is interested in participating to contact administrative assistant Denise Stevens at dstevens@sau8.org.
More information about the program can be found at rms.sau8.org/cms/One.aspx?
portalId=401657&pageId
=10122485.
(Nick Reid can be reached at 369-3325, nreid@cmonitor.com or on Twitter at
@NickBReid.)