Construction marks first day of classes at Round Lake High

It's the first day of the new school year at Round Lake High School, and throughout the building, new classroom decorations coexist with ladders and miscellaneous construction supplies - remnants of the school's $29 million expansion project that started this summer.

The 2015-16 academic year began smoothly Tuesday, one week early, to provide more time for construction next summer, officials said.

"It's gone how we hoped it would go," Vice Principal Andy McDowell said.

No classes or extracurricular activities have been canceled because of construction, but several parking spots have been removed. A large part of the work has taken place in front G Wing of the building, near the band and choir rooms.

The main challenge administrators say they have faced is finding ways to direct traffic flow in and out of the building without exposing students to construction areas.

"Different access points have been changed," Principal Donn Mendoza said. "Teachers have been shown the new exits and entrances. It's inconvenient for now, but in the end it will pay off."

A group of upperclassmen in bright yellow T-shirts were available throughout the building to help freshmen navigate the hallways and open their lockers. The new "Panther Crew" program was implemented as a way to introduce the school to freshmen through their older peers.

For math teacher Garry Ebel, who has taught at Round Lake High School for 27 years, the construction is a minor inconvenience that will be worth it because of the opportunities it will provide for students in the future.

"I have lost windows in my classroom, and a few small things," Ebel said. "But none of it is earth shattering."

The project will expand the school to accommodate 2,400 students. Originally built to handle 1,300 students, Round Lake High School now houses a student body of 2,100. For years, challenges have included using mobile classrooms outside of the building and gym classes that overflow with up to 50 students.

"Things are not the most ideal right now," McDowell said of the crowded conditions. "Weather can be a challenge, along with hallway congestion."

The expansion and renovation project, which was approved by a referendum vote, last November, will add 24 new classrooms, a business incubation lab, four STEM labs, and a new gymnasium. The addition of several common rooms and the completion of other general renovations are also part of the work.

Round Lake Area Unit District 116 Superintendent Constance Collins said she is most excited for the academic programs the work will provide space for, such as Project Lead the Way, an organization that offers high-quality STEM programs.

"In the end," Collins said. "This will help provide more opportunities for students."