May 2, 2013
Kelloggsville Public Schools – External Site Visits Findings
Tour Attendees:
Greg Warsen, Matt Hickson, Scott Gunn, Jim Lafler, Beth Postma, Laura Tanis, Deb Sellers, JD Gonzales, Sharon Norman, Steve Hoekzema, Erin Albanese, Lindsay Anes
External Site Visits:
Hopkins Public Schools High School (9-12)
Byron Center Public Schools Nickels Intermediate School (5-6)
Byron Center Public Schools Countryside Elementary School (PreK-4), next year will be (K-4)
Kentwood Public Schools Discovery Elementary School (K-5)
Biggest takeaways “in general” seemed to be:
Use of flexible space
Lot of daylight
Higher ceilings
Use of technology for teachers and students
Open feeling
Takeaways from specific buildings:
Hopkins High School
1. High ceilings – allowed daylight in, felt open not claustrophobic
2. Academic wings can be closed off completely
3. Main street corridor effect
4. 1 on 1 technology
5. Safety and security – via key card access
6. Could close off the end of certain wings, and only use part of them for drivers training, etc. in summertime or evenings
7. Remote setting on key card access
8. Bus loop separate from parking lot
Nickels Intermediate
1. Separate classrooms with common areas ~ learning centers
2. Furniture was flexible and easy to configure. Smaller tables w/ casters. Easy to rearrange. Chairs were different sizes to accommodate different sized students.
3. Less isolation, more visibility of students
4. Lighting fixtures were less institutional
5. Lockers were out of academic areas
6. Media center had low shelving with defined use areas
7. Book shelves were movable
8. Good use of natural lighting
9. Buildings all had calmer colors
10. Very secure entrance, but not practical because office was (although visible) further away from entrance
11. Specials in one wing and academics in another wing
12. Good use of Apple TV
Countryside Elementary School
1. Consistently themed (farm school)
2. Large classrooms off of “pods”
3. Security cameras
4. Security vestibules
5. Unclear entrance
6. Doorless bathrooms
7. Natural light
8. Secure entryway (had to be buzzed into office, sign in and then go into school)
9. Retractable tables in lunchroom
10. Multipurpose lunch area and gymnasium
11. Microphone for teachers (big hit with teachers)
12. Bus loop separate from parking lot
Discovery Elementary
1. More utilitarian, traditional in design
2. Conference room in office area was nice
3. Wider, taller hallways
4. Brick, tile entrance was attractive
5. Very secure entrance
6. Key fob system used
7. No blinds, only tinted windows
8. Didn’t like the roof, but maintenance personnel for the district do
9. Separate maintenance rooms
10. HVAC in ceiling
11. Teachers locked all classroom doors during class to help with security
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