Touring the new Woodland Public School with architect Nathan Jensen, it was easy to see the pride he had taken in his work, and the excitement he felt to finally get to show it off.
And show it off, they should. Jensen, representing his firm Mitchell Architects, led a leisurely walk around campus eager to point out where the firm had introduced efficiencies, utilized cutting-edge technology, and designed innovations geared to students with special needs, disabilities, or even children with no time for a square meal in the morning.
While Jensen showed a great understanding of school-aged children's needs, he and his firm's vision, along with Kenalex's construction provide the bricks and mortar. The human side of the partnership includes Marianne Speirs, Capital Projects Manager for Near North District School Board, and Woodland's first principal, Julie Beaudoin.
When asked about major differences between Woodland and a school from a generation ago, Beaudoin immediately pointed out that while the technology available has improved, the major advantage teachers and students have today is its portability. Technology can be brought to any room in the school, as well as outdoors and on field trips, a versatility that Beaudoin says that all teachers have embraced. The school is fully wi-fi enabled.
Jensen added that "we are outfitting all buildings for technology. This building has smart boards, AppleTV, televisions in every single classroom. As the way we use technology changes, we are trying to also be adaptable with the classrooms. Also, the library's furniture is all movable, the circulation desk is on wheels. The idea is that the space can be adapted" to meet changing needs.
"In the background, straight easy runs of cable trays," leading to a state-of-the-art engineering room, make the entire building more efficient and easier to reconfigure if necessary said Jensen.
"These schools are on a tight budget, and we've worked very hard to put the money where it belongs. We haven't spent money on frivolous architectural gestures, we've put money into the materials, and the needs of the students" added Jensen.
Befitting its name, the school has plenty of durable wooden finishes, as well as an abundance of large windows to provide the students and staff with natural light.
Although the name for the school was chosen by vote post-construction, the idea to include nods to the surrounding habitat was ingrained in the design. "We take inspiration from local materials and local habitats, so we've used a lot of stone on the building, a lot of wood," said Jensen.
The school has a capacity of just over five hundred, and the usual late summer registration should bring Woodland close to that number.
Speirs says aging structures, ballooning maintenance costs and low student populations have all led to the school board adopting this concept. Woodland will be an amalgamation of students from the former King George and Dr. MacDougall schools, as well as a portion of students from the also recently-closed J.W. Trusler public school.
In a move that will help students (and staff) with familiarity in a larger setting, all teachers at Woodland most recently taught at one of the three closed schools.
Transportation, namely student drop-off zones have been a problem at other schools in the area. With this in mind, the new school has been outfitted with an ample bus zone, a "kiss-and-drop-off lane" and a large parking area.
A gymnasium with high ceilings, and space for multiple classes, also boasts a retractable, fully-accessible stage. With the elevator, all areas of the school are completely accessible.
The library, still waiting for its shelves to be filled with books, has a wooden accent, with large windows, and air conditioning for warm June or September days.
A kitchen will be open to students for breakfast programs, snacks and lunches. Adjacent to the kitchen, there are rooms for after-school daycare. Beaudoin clarified that the before-school care program is still a work in progress.
Kindergarten classrooms have dedicated entrances and bathrooms. They were deliberately under-decorated, said Jensen, to afford the children the opportunity to decorate their classrooms. The remaining classrooms are accented with vibrant, but not distracting colours. Each classroom has its own distinct colour pattern, allowing for certain rooms to become known by an associated colour scheme.
All in all, Woodland Public School is a triumph. It should not take those reluctant back-to-schoolers long to find motivation in their brand new school.
