Middle school renovations expected to greatly benefit students
The middle school renovations have drastically changed the make-up of the schools most CHS students attended. These changes, according to parents and faculty alike, will greatly benefit Wilson and Lamberton students.
Both academic programs and the buildings themselves have seen significant reformations. After six years of planning and construction and $39 million in renovation costs, the middle school buildings have finished major alterations. The dedication ceremony was held on Sunday, September 28.
Some of these changes to the buildings include:
- Different lockers,
- a larger gymnasium,
- a fitness center,
- skylights,
- more classrooms,
- a cyber school room,
- a more private nurse suite and counseling center,
- a larger cafeteria,
- laptop storage spaces,
- new LGI seating,
- rooms made from recycled materials,
- and increased energy efficiency.
Staff and students, both current and former, have spoken positively of these modifications.
Colleen Friend, Wilson Middle School principal, explained that “one of my favorite parts […] is….the upcoming fitness center.”
Seng Pham, a Lamberton teacher, said that “there are skylights giving natural sunlight to interior classrooms. These lights allow students to better focus.”
However, not everything is completely different. The middle school locker colors (yellow, orange, and blue) are still scattered throughout the buildings.
One middle school student clarified, “they put the locker colors all over the school.”
Additionally, several aspects of the curriculum have also been amended.
Friend said, “we absolutely increased instruction time for kids. We don’t have academic enrichment time in the LGI anymore. We have been able to get every minute as far as instruction.”
It is the hope of many that more lunch options, daily language classes, an entire grade having lunch together, and the termination of POD will also help improve the middle schools.
The goal of the administration and teachers is to facilitate student success in a modern, clean institution of learning.
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Michaela Francis • Oct 31, 2014 at 9:17 am
My younger brother goes to Lamberton and I am slightly envious of him. Everything has changed and I would have to say that it changed for the better. This is a nicely written article and now I know how the building changed from when I went there.
Katie Dworak • Oct 28, 2014 at 2:31 pm
The way the new middle school is working is really going to benefit both the middle and high schools. They are making middle school closer to what freshman year will be like. This is extremely beneficial. It will take away some of the culture shock which can only make the transition easier.
Sarah Ann Jensen • Oct 28, 2014 at 1:39 pm
This covered a lot of questions and curiosities I had about the construction at the middle schools. I have been wondering what the transformed buildings look like, so it was nice to see some pictures. I did not realize they spent that much money on the renovations. Why did they not use any of that money to improve the high school?! I think they made some necessary, goo improvements that will benefit the kids academic career. I almost wish I could go to school there. I did not realize they changed the curriculum as well. I think that will better prepare the students for high school. I have to admit I am pretty impressed by what they have transformed the schools into.
Lucus • Oct 28, 2014 at 10:05 am
Why fix something that isnt broken
Erin Newcomer • Oct 27, 2014 at 10:09 am
I love the changes that have been done to the middle school. Without POD I feel the middle school can more prepare their students for high school. I’ve been in the school and it is absolutely astounding the changes that have been made. The only thing is that it makes me sad that the school I grew up with is no longer recognizable. Maybe someday the same can be said for the high school.
Dru Orth • Oct 24, 2014 at 12:51 pm
Wow, the middle schools look great. I think this may help prepare middle schoolers for high school a little better. I remember when I went from elementary school to middle school it didn’t seem too different with POD classes being technically one big room. I have two brothers currently in middle school and it’s nice to know they’ll have an even better learning experience.
Garrett • Oct 23, 2014 at 9:38 am
Most of these changes to the school are good. Some seem to be wasteful like the yoga gym but maybe that’s a class now I don’t know.
Megan Godfrey • Oct 23, 2014 at 8:51 am
I think that the renovations look amazing! The fact that the kids now get to eat lunch with all the kids from their own grade is really cool, I wish that I got to have that experience when I was in middle school. Also, the classes that are now offered in the Middle School instead of having POD everyday will give the kids a sense of freedom. The yoga room looks so cool, and I would have loved to have that when I was in Middle School! Hopefully the high school can update some of our facilities soon.
Isaac Barclay • Oct 23, 2014 at 8:22 am
The schools new changes will benefit the students learning greatly. The school looks better, and probably is a better environment to be in. Changes like no more POD will be very good for the students, I believe.
Celeste McMullan • Oct 16, 2014 at 12:58 pm
the middle schools look absolutely amazing and I believe as well that everything they have done, will benefit the students. being in actual classrooms instead of POD is more effective. I wish the schools would’ve been like this for class of 2015 students.
Taylor Killinger • Oct 8, 2014 at 12:35 pm
I think it is better for the students now that the middle schools have been updated. They have more chances and better ways of learning. It will also prepare them to be able to handle getting around a high school because they have been giving more obstacles to work with in middle school. This is also more helpful for the students because they are always around their teachers and in a great learning environment. I think these renovations are more helpful than hurtful.
Sydney Ritchie • Oct 7, 2014 at 10:26 am
This is really cool that they did all this advancements and reconstruction on the middle schools. I believe that it is a little unfair that we had to deal with subpar middle schools. I think they should focus on advancing the high school as well because it has larger population of students. Unfortunately as a senior, I did not get to see any of these new advancements.