“We look a lot more inviting, modern and welcoming,” were the words Wethersfield School Superintendent Dr. Andrew Brooks used to describe work done over the summer and in recent months as he took members of the Board of Education on a tour of buildings and grounds following their October meeting.
”We are excited to showcase our facilities and the enhancements that support our educational mission,” Dr. Brooks said as he guided board members to more than 15 points of interest inside and outside school buildings accompanied by principals Tyler Nichols and Kyle Dennison.
The tour included:
— A new zSpace AR/VR Lab in the high school that will allow students to interact with augmented and virtual reality content in an immersive environment. The lab will allow students to collaborate on STEM education projects with hands-on engagement with 3D modeling and simulations.
— The high school ag room which received new carpet, paint, HVAC, a. new countertop and reconfigured CleverTouch interactive software for the classroom. A new HVAC system was also installed in the ag shop to better heat and cool the space.
— A new boiler room recently built for a new HVAC system which will increase efficiency and safety and support the heating and cooling needs of the district’s main building..
— New lockers in the Blish Building which was converted into the junior high school last year, additional lighting on both floors to brighten hallways and large flat screens added on both floors for announcements and better communication with students. A new roof was also installed this summer due to tornado damage.
— All high school classrooms updated with new HVAC systems and controls as well as some other upgrades.
— A new walk-in freezer for the cafeteria which increases storage capacity allowing purchase of more food supplies in bulk, and improved energy efficiency by replacing the old freezer.
— A new 10-by-12-foot storage shed for storage of outdoor equipment and supplies for the Pre-K program which replaced two smaller sheds destroyed by the tornado.
— New carpet, paint and information system for the elementary library and new room for the elementary counselor with more room and a more welcome environment designed for comfort and trust for private one-to-one and small group counseling sessions.
— Projects currently being finalized included door lock replacement and rekeying and new room signage districtwide.
During the board meeting Dr. Brooks announced that preparations are underway for new handicapped accessible bleachers on the visitors side of the athletic field replacing the existing stand which was damaged by the tornado last summer.
He also said that the city will begin concrete work on the corners and crosswalks in McClure, Willard and Garfield streets the week of Oct. 14 which will include new handicapped access ramps on each corner. Next week the streets will be resurfaced and parking lane lines restriped.
