Landmark Middle School Project Celebrates Completion
Wow! Coo-ool! Awesome!
It’s not often that students returning to school after a long, relaxing summer are full of such superlatives on their first morning back. But, greeted by the brand new entryway, lobby, and multipurpose room at Principia Middle School, these responses were virtually universal among our sixth, seventh, and eighth graders.
Later that morning—cheered on by the entire student body and faculty, as well as Head of School Marilyn Wallace—Middle School Director Alyssa Henn performed the official ribbon-cutting at the new entrance. In brief remarks, Mrs. Henn acknowledged the generosity of donors in helping bring change that positively impacts the academic program as well as the interaction within the Middle School learning community.
The new wider entrance lobby addresses the problem of traffic flow at the start and end of the school day and provides a welcoming reception area for parents and visitors, along with office facilities that are easily accessed by faculty. A fresh lick of paint on the lockers that line the hallway and some bright new carpeting add the finishing touches to what is now a functional and fun area, at the very heart of Middle School.
The multipurpose room (located where the old bookstore used to be) boasts large windows and glass walls, a small stage (perfect for chapels, faculty-parent meetings, and student improv performances), and a large laminated floor (ideal for student dances and parties). It has a state-of-the-art sound system and will also have a movable wall, allowing it to be used as two separate spaces during the school day.
In addition to these just-completed areas, the renovation program resulted in an all-new library and art room in 2011, and refurbishment of a lower level classroom that had been damaged by flooding.