CAC Board of Trustees

 

 

FAQs: Middle School Educational Continuity
Phase I of the CAC Master Plan

  • What is the philosophy of the Middle School administration and faculty towards educational continuity during Phase I?

Since the approval of the CAC Master Plan, the Middle School faculty has been engaged in a dialog with various levels of the school administration on educational continuity. We have considered a variety of issues such as student safety and supervision, the work schedule of the contractor, access to the school store, displaced janitors, future room assignments and acoustic solutions to airborne sounds.  Phase I is the beginning of a seven-year program of construction at CAC.  In the first six months we believe pro-active planning, flexibility, adaptation and coordination will be the key to embracing this project.  Student safety has been foremost in our planning for Phase I.  Our next objective is to maintain the regular academic program and avoid any interruption to the daily teaching and learning process.  The Middle School administration does not pretend that we can predict every circumstance, but we know that we have a learning community that can engage every challenge.

  • What provisions are in place for campus security during Phase I of the construction?

John Hollenbach, the Facilities Project Manager at CAC, is coordinating all of our security concerns with the contractors.  We are in weekly contact with him in terms of campus security provisions and student safety considerations in the Middle School.  As the project unfolds, the establishment of the boundary wall for the construction site, traffic routes, the delivery schedule of construction materials and access of the workers to the site are being clarified before we begin the 2007-08 academic year. 

  • What impact will there be in terms of noise and dust?

We anticipate that the impact of noise and dust on the Middle School will vary depending upon the implementation stage of the construction.  We will be pro-active and anticipate in our planning approach by working closely with the Project Manager about any excessive noise or dust potential problems.  After campus security and student supervision, we see this as the greatest challenge of Phase I.  Based upon the recent experience of construction on the road adjacent to the Middle School, we believe we can adjust to this reality through the strategic use of soundproofing in classrooms and dust barriers.  We have consulted with the Project Manager to help us anticipate the impact of power tools, compressors, framing work, steel cutting and the scheduling for site clean up.

  • What will happen to the play areas for the Middle School?

The shortened track will still provide ample play area for Middle School students based upon current use.  The basketball court will be utilized more during break and lunch times as a recreational space.  Sun screening or a covered area for the court area is under consideration.  The construction boundary will help define the scope of designated play areas for various daily activities.

  • What are the plans for eating areas?

The current eating areas for the Middle School will be rearranged for the different grade levels during Phase I.  Eating/seating areas away from the site will be flexible and portable.  Inside areas will be made available for students sensitive to any additional dust created by the construction.

  • What other aspects of Phase I are you planning for?

At this point in time we believe the following will be clarified once we begin construction:

- Control of viewing areas of the site from the Middle School roof and the boundary wall.
- Access and placement of Middle School storage areas.
- Refined procedures for Middle School emergency drills once the site is established.
- Increased utilization of the roof area for students and staff during Phase I.
- Planned accommodations by the contractor during Middle School activities such as outside assemblies, sports activities, parent events, standardized testing, etc.