black river sec learnin center-4!15!10

8/9/2019 Black River Sec Learnin Center-4!15!10

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Black River High School to be rebuilt, new secondary learning

center to combine programs from Sartori Education Center

Voter approval of bond in May 2008 allows forrebuilding of school facilities

April 19, 2010This summer construction will begin to rebuild Black

River High School with a new facility that will also combine programs

from Sartori Education Center. The new secondary learning center site

will take about two years to complete and will provide students with

fundamental educationmathematics, reading, writing, sciencealong

with new, innovative classesWeb-based programs, culinary arts and

morefor high school students who wish to enroll in an alternative

learning environment.

Planning for the project began in 2006, when community members, staff and others prepared a list of needed school

renovations and upgrades to be placed on the ballot before voters. In May 2008, voters approved those projects, which

included the construction of the new $20 million secondary learning center, along with a new wing at Hazen High

School, work at Dimmitt and Nelsen middle schools, an Early Childhood Learning Center, and more.

NEWS RELEASEContact: Randy Matheson | Executive Director

Community Relations | 425.204.2345 |

[email protected]

Artist rendering of the concept of the new secondary learning center at Black River High School. The new facility will combineprograms from Sartori Education Center. The project is scheduled for completion in fall 2012. (See more photos below.)

Its wonderful that with votersupport we can now providestudents in our alternative programsa school as impressive as others inthe district.

School Board President Lynn Desmarais


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Plans to build on the east side of site in question

Initially the district hoped to build the new facility on the east side of the campus while allowing Black River High

School to remain open. Further testing of the area proposed for development unearthed excessive underground water,

placing those plans in jeopardy. Geotechnical engineers are again analyzing the site and subsurface conditions for

earth support, drainage, foundation design, and concrete slab on grade construction. A decision was made recently to

change the logistics of the project and move students and staff off site and out of the construction area to prepare toraze and rebuild the school, which may have to be built much closer to where the current Black River school is located.

Staff, students and parents were recently informed about that change to the project timeline, and the decision to

vacate the property during demolition and building of the new facility.

An individual plan for every student

Black River High School teachers and staff are working with school and district administration to create an individually-

specific education plan for each of Black River Highs 150 students. An estimated 25 will graduate this year. Plans for

the remaining students include grouping nearly half of the students into a newly-formed program at Sartori Education

Center that meets their need for guided and independent study. Other students with specific education requirements

will learn at district schools that best meets their needs. In the coming days, teachers and school staff will hold

individual meetings with students and their families to review the education plans along with strategies for transitioninginto next years schools.

Staff, students, parents offered input into design

At the start of this school year, an independent consultant worked for months with teachers, support staff, students and

parents at Black River High, Sartori Education Center and other alternative programs to review current alternative

learning programs for effectiveness and students engagement. Also discussed were current and future programs that

would make a difference for students in alternative settings. That work, along with teacher, parent and student

planning and strategy sessions that began in 2006, coupled with recent input offered by staff, parents and others to

NAC Architecture, helped develop plans for the new learning facility and will be used to infuse the center with new

innovative alternative classes.

PPRROOJJEECCTT SSUUMMMMAARRYY

Site Plan:

This artist rendering shows a site

plan for the campus with the school

located near the area of the current

school. Plans for the school could

employ many energy conservation

measures including using gray

water technology which water

runoff from the roof to flush toilets.

The green area depicts a soccerand baseball field and a paved

fitness path. The vegetation runs

the property line along South

Langston Road. The water area is a

county-mandated storm water

pond.


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Main Entry:

This rendering is a conceptualrepresentation of the main entryway for the school. The two-story school will replace the

current one-floor building. Themain entry way is a two-story,glass structure that will allowlight to flood the entrancewayand student administrationareas.

West Faade:

This rendering a conceptualrepresentation of the buildingfrom the west. An extendedroofline, encased in glass,allows sunlight to enter theinterior of stairways, commonareas and classrooms.

Birds Eye View:

This rendering shows the schoolfrom the air. Clearly visible is a

green roof on the west faadethat is covered with vegetation,planted over a waterproofingmembrane. The environmentallyfriendly green roof will work tocool the building and reducesun glare.


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1st

Floor:

This rendering shows the first floorof the building which includes: 9 classrooms pre-engineering classroom Culinary Arts Center computer lab, the principals office and

administration a gymnasium and fitness center student commons (see illustration

below)

2n

Floor:

This rendering shows the secondfloor of the building which includes: 10 classrooms business computer lab library teacher/parent conference room storage areas

Commons:

This rendering represents thestudent commons area wherestudents can meet before orafter school, and provide ageneral conference area andadditional learning space. Thearea will also include a studentstore.

black river sec learnin center-4!15!10

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