Summer construction brings changes for West Chicago high school
Welcome to the 2014-15 school year!
If you drove by or stopped in during the summer, you were bound to notice we had been under construction since before the completion of the 2013-14 school year. I have many exciting changes to report to you.
At the end of the last school year, we began removing the outdated kitchens from the first floor of the oldest part of the building. We have completely remodeled this space, and it is now classrooms for the Family and Consumer Science program. Part of this space is dedicated to an early childhood classroom, where our students run a preschool each semester during the school year.
Now located west of the Commons, on the other side of the student food service kitchens, is our new Family and Consumer Science classroom kitchens. One kitchen has six stations resembling a home kitchen; the other has four stations resembling a commercial kitchen, including the big commercial stove and ovens and commercial dishwashing equipment.
Both kitchens include classroom space with a demonstration kitchen, as well as cameras and technology to project the demonstration onto a screen.
Finally, the improved area also includes a commercial-size walk-in refrigerator and freezer, and lots of storage. The commercial kitchens will allow our students the opportunity to experience a broader curriculum resembling a culinary program.
The Commons, too, has changed in obvious ways. Part of the north wall has been removed and replaced by a door that leads to a brick paver courtyard, where students may eat and congregate outside when weather permits.
The swimming pool was drained and repainted. Security cameras have been installed, as well as electronic access systems for exterior doors. Classroom doors have been replaced along with many other interior doors.
Throughout the building, students and staff now can access our wireless network that was installed this summer. This access will be great for teachers and students as they increase their use of technology this year, and crucial as we roll out our 1-to-1 initiative next year in which every CHS student will receive a Chromebook at the beginning of the 2015-16 school year.
Visit d94.org/Page/218 and click on my June blog posting to learn more about this initiative.
Outdoors, a few projects were long overdue. Some of our roofs were removed down to the decking, repaired, insulated and a new roof installed. Two staff parking lots were completely replaced down to the gravel base.
These renovations are just the beginning of a multiyear project that will continue to make improvements for the safety of our students and to enhance the learning environment. Watch for future columns as we share the projects in line for next summer.
On behalf of the staff, we enjoy the energy and excitement students bring as they return and breathe life back into the building. We expect a great school year.
• Douglas Domeracki is superintendent of Community High School District 94 in West Chicago. His column runs monthly during the school year in Neighbor.