Modular update letter from Mrs. Leonard: also posted below
http://www.edline.net/files/_GeBDD_/7553c32fd7803dad3745a49013852ec4/modular_update_to_community_7-30-15.pdf
Dear Barrows Community,
I
hope that you are enjoying your summer.
It is hard to believe that the end of this week is already August! Our custodians, Bill and Dan are working hard
to get our school ready for opening day.
As you have recently heard in a letter from the superintendent, the
modular classrooms for the three elementary schools will not be “move-in” ready
by the start of the school year. We, of course, are disappointed in this
setback but are in the process of making alternative arrangements within
the school to address this space shortage.
After exploring and discussing all of the options, we feel that locating these two classrooms in the gymnasium will be the best option to creating an alternate learning environment for our Kindergarten students. Although it is not ideal, for this short period of time our Kindergarten students will be located together in the building and will have a consistent working space with the least disruption to other grades/classes as possible. It will be set up to the best of our abilities using classroom furniture and temporary dividers for separation.
I
have had conversations with Mrs. Forestell, and Mrs. Granoth, (our two
Kindergarten teachers who will be located in the modulars) and Mrs. Atwood our
PE teacher, regarding this temporary disruption to their routine. They
are flexible, highly skilled educators that have already begun to strategize to
make this situation work in the best possible way for their students.
During this time, all PE classes will be held outside on the field. In the event of inclement weather, PE classes
will take place in the cafeteria, stage, and/or in classrooms.
Once
the modulars are completed, we will be moving the teaching materials and the
classrooms. A dedicated time will be provided to the teachers
and maintenance staff to make the move to the modular an effective one.
The students will be transitioned in a thoughtful manner to make this switch from
the gym to their new classrooms as seamless as possible.
We
appreciate the flexibility of the students, teachers, and parents during this
transition. We are excited to have our new modular classrooms as part of our
school. We know the learning at Barrows will continue as our wonderful staff
work together effectively to meet the needs of all learners. We will hold our
annual brief Open House visits for our Kindergarteners in the few days before
school starts. I hope you have a great
rest of your summer and I will be in touch in August as more information
becomes available and with dates for classroom visits.
Thank you,
A message from READING SCHOOL DISTRICT
Good Morning,
Barrows, Joshua Eaton, and Killam Communities,
We hope all is
well and you are enjoying your summer. The purpose of this email is to
update you on the modular classroom construction at Killam, Barrows and Joshua
Eaton. Over the last several weeks, I have been kept updated by Director
of Finance and Operations Martha Sybert, Director of Facilities Kelly Colon,
and our Owner’s Project Manager, Gale Associates. There have been weekly
construction meetings which have discussed the timeline of the project,
including when the modular classrooms would reach substantial completion and be
ready for our students.
Although there
were some delays early in the process, we were reassured by the contractor that
the project could be completed by the agreed upon substantial completion date
of August 24th. Recently however, it became evident that this
timeline was not attainable. There have been several delays in the
project, including the submission, re-submission and final approval of
construction and foundation design plans, some unexpected delays during
excavation at Killam and Barrows, and delays in the transit of the modular
classrooms from Pennsylvania. Therefore, due to these delays, the modular
classrooms will not be completed by the end of August. In conversations
with our Owner’s Project Manager, it is now expected that the modular
classrooms will be completed for occupancy by mid to late September.
In anticipation
of the delayed completion date, we are making plans for temporary classroom
space for our kindergarten students at their assigned elementary
school. In the next 48 hours, Principals Eric Sprung, Cathy Giles,
and Heather Leonard will be communicating to their school communities the specific
details of those classroom spaces.
We are certainly
disappointed with this latest information that we have received, and we will
work diligently to assure that our kindergarten students and families will have
a smooth transition to their new school. As we move forward, our building
principals will be keeping you updated on the progress of the modular
construction at your school and all current information regarding the start of
the school year.
If you have any
questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Reading Public Schools
Administration offices or your building principal.
Sincerely,
John F. Doherty
Superintendent of Schools
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