Furniture upgrades are on the way to SCS elementary
schools. Those who will spend the most time with the
purchases are taking months to review options, test
samples and even vis
it other schools.
“While it is very fun to shop for furniture, we all realize
what an important decision we have to make,” Loper
Elementary third grade teacher Traci Cox said. “Our
stu
dents and staff spend a large portion of their day
in the classroom, so selecting furniture that is
comfortable, functional, as well as flexible for all of
our needs is critical.”
The
phased project will include some classroom
furniture, such as small group tables and seating,
teacher desks and chairs, and cubbies to hang coats
and backpacks. “Specials” classrooms, suc
h as art,
music and the library will also be updated.
“We are focusing on making our classrooms more
flexible for teachers and students,” Loper Elementary
principal Adam Harpring said.
“We want our students
to be able to collaborate with each other and our
teachers and paraprofessionals more easily.”
Representatives from Coulston, Hendricks and Loper
schools joined
corporation administrators to form a
Renovation Team, which has narrowed selections to
two vendors and visited schools that purchased from
both companies.
Coulston Elementary first gra
de teacher Samantha
Williams called a visit to an out-of-town elementary
school “an inspiring experience.”
Staff Look Forward to New Furniture
“So much of each student's ability
to learn relates to the
environment they are in. Knowing that we are looking at
furniture that will grow with our students and provide
us the flexibility they need in modern-day educatio
n is
exciting,” Williams said.
Both vendors are setting up mock classrooms here.
Teachers at Loper Elementary, depicted above, are
currently reviewing options. So are the staff at Coul
ston
and Hendricks.
“Hendricks is excited about the furniture upgrades
happening at SCS. We will be upgrading our library this
year and anticipate a full upgrade in the next few years,
”
principal Deryck Ramey said.