The Mitchell Elementary School is about to get more space and its principal is thrilled.
Joe Thiessen says he helped design the addition which includes a renovated library, five classrooms, and a multi-purpose room.
“I’m particularly excited about a new library space with some nice big windows and the opportunity to make that into a fun learning environment,” he comments, “having a multipurpose room where we can have guest speakers and hold special events in will be great as well."
Thiessen says today’s learning practices entail a lot of small-group discussions and hands-on learning. Both of those require a good deal of space which is a luxury the elementary school does not have.
“This addition will give us the ability to do that,” he remarks.
The finished product will also free up the current library area. Thiessen says that spot will be transformed into a resource learning suite to better meet the needs of children who require special support.
In his 15 years as principal, Thiessen has watched the school increase from 260 kids to over 460 without ever changing its physical shape.
“We’re filled right to the brim here as people continue to move to Mitchell,” he offers, “and we are very excited about the opportunity to expand and have space for everyone.”
If it was not already evident before, Thiessen says this September their spacial constraints became blatantly obvious.
“For the first time ever we topped 100 students in one particular grade level and that is in Kindergarten.”
Without room for another classroom, the school was forced to come up with a creative solution. Now, in order to cope Thiessen says their abnormally large Kindergarten classes are operating with two full-time teachers. “It has been a real collaborative effort among the staff and it is going very well.”
Still, he says, there is no denying that an expansion is vital to the ongoing educational health of the school.
Read more: Construction At Mitchell School To Begin Any Day
Thu, May 16, 12:00 PM
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