Childhood is a precious thing and should be celebrated for as long as possible. Kids are filled with wonder and imagination, and their surroundings should reflect that. Elementary schools should be a reflection of that joy, not a facility for kids to learn in. Building renovations for Graebner Elementary are long overdue, but the modernization of the space takes on the appearance of an office area.
With Graebner Elementary being one of the oldest elementary schools in the district, renovations are bound to happen when the school has been standing since the early 1970s. It was made as one of the first open-concept schools in the area, acting as an empty canvas, fit for refurbishments. Teachers in the school felt like they never had an actual classroom because of the foldable walls in the building, so hopefully this change will bring a positive change for those teachers who have felt like they’ve never had a proper space to teach.
“It needed to be redone. It was fifty-two-years-old and it needed some remodeling. It had an asbestos it didn’t even have real walls we had to use bookshelves and plants just to separate the rooms nor did we have heating and cooling.” third grade teacher Tiffany Scholten said. “I think that it’s a little bland, but you can always add your touch to it.”
While the renovations address long-standing issues with the building, they also shift how classrooms will function. The updated layout has the potential to alter the way staff manage the space.
“I have a lot of energy and pizzazz, and I will most likely keep it going,” said Independent Study and Mentorship (ISM) teacher Isabella Vehari. “Maybe it will allow me to collaborate with other teachers, students, and even parents.”
Elementary-age students benefit from environments that include color and stimulation. A neutral setting may seem less engaging and fun for the students without the personalized and fun aspect.
“The pictures and renderings of the building is a little colorless,” said fifth grade teacher Amy Walston. “I believe once we get into the building we can all add are color twist we want and artwork and crafts that the kids make so it so that then it doesn’t look as plain.”
Some teachers in the school felt like they never had an actual classroom because of the foldable walls in the building, so hopefully this change will bring more structure to the school day
As construction continues, the updated design is expected to resolve many of the issues due to the building’s age. At the same time, the overall feel of the school will depend on how classrooms are arranged and personalized once the building is done and students come back.
