By Dexter Hinson, Staff Writer
CNHI
Tuesday, March 16, 2010 —
Perhaps the biggest excitement of the community, per Principal Robert Patterson, lies in the walls of the buildings that join together to make up the re-cently renovated Aquadale Elementary School.
“Much of the focus of this (past) fall at Aquadale School was on physically moving into the new facility and setting up classrooms,” said Patterson.
“The cafeteria, office areas, media center and computer lab were completed around the first nine weeks of school. Since then, we have been enjoying this first rate facility. The new facility has been of great benefit to instruction, discipline and morale.”
Comprised of three buildings — one built in the 1950s, another in the 1970s and the recent two-story establishment that has such amenities as an elevator, Aquadale now has additional parking on campus, providing separate space for bus and vehicle traffic. There are 18 classrooms in the new two-story structure and ample space for extension in the older, renovated building, with ceiling mounted, interactive projectors, ActivBoard and ActivSlate technology being available in most classrooms, allowing students and staff to do Internet research, projects and presentations.
The school’s cafeteria was also expanded, with more storage areas and the addition of bathrooms coming into play. The media center was expanded as well and more book cases were added. The computer lab that was once a part of the library is now a separate room. New administrative offices and conference rooms now occupy the space where kindergarten classrooms were for years.
Not only has there been improvements made concerning the school’s physical structure, but in the realm of academics, more opportunities have been made available for the benefit of the students.
“In the curriculum and instruction areas, data indicated that we will continue to seek improvement in reading and math,” Patterson said.
Using tools such as the SRA corrective reading program in grades three through five has brought forth positive results, which have improved the attitude of students towards reading, according to Patterson.
Parent and community involvement has increased in participation this academic year through the planning of events. The PTO has a 14-member executive committee that meets regularly. Three parent involvement coordinators have scheduled parent training in reading, writing and testing. A spring carnival has been planned to give the community another chance to be involved.
What the school has to offer may best be stated by those who benefit from it the most — the students. Second graders Tyler Vhaya and Michelle Huggins mutually state that Aquadale is the place to be.
“I like the roof, the inside of my room, the bigger media center ... pretty much everything,” said Vhaya, who also enjoys extracurricular activities with friends.
“I like the teachers,” said Huggins, who admits that though hard work is all but uncommon, using the new technology inside the classroom makes participating an exciting activity.
“There is a lot more space in rooms, too,” said Huggins.
