Page 32 - Priorities #63- Winter 2016

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HHappy New Year to our wonderful and supportive community!
The 2015-2016 school year is well underway—and what a launch to the new school year it has been! The spirit and enthusiasm surrounding the opening of the first new academic building in 40 years contributed to an all-time high all around campus. The energy was palpable on the fields, in the classrooms, in the science labs—it was evident everywhere. Daily we witness how seamlessly our faculty and students have adjusted to our new classrooms on Schilling Square. Here is some feedback from our teachers and students about how the new classrooms have created an ideal learning environment:
• Flexible space: Plenty of space for storage, to spread out comfortably into small groups, to have whole-class discussions, and to easily separate for testing.
• Technology: Everything works “better” and much more efficiently.
• Comfort: Solar panels power the entire building and allow the climate control and smart lighting to automatically adjust to the conditions, creating a far more comfortable learning environment.
• Sustainable: The entire building is energy neutral, only generating as much energy as it uses over the lifespan of the building.
• Convenience: It’s much easier to get from class to class because much of the Upper School campus is centralized.
• Emotional: Students feel more “professional,” “more important,” “studious,” and “happy,” and they take more pride in their school.
• Plaza: The outdoor stage has already proven beneficial for outdoor assemblies, presentations and events—a natural place for community gathering.
• Faculty Lounge: The new lounge is “exceptional,” with a meeting area for faculty discussions that’s also located in close proximity to students for continuous supervision during break.
DEVELOPMENT