Meeting House Hill School

May 23, 2011

It's an interesting time of our renovation.  The inside of the school is looking more and more under construction, while the outside of the new wing is looking better and better!  Inside, the ceiling tiles were taken down on the main floor so that preparations can be made for summer work.  It makes it easier to see where electrical systems and vents are located.  We really do look like a Soho loft now!  We are installing electrical outlets and beginning the move of our cafeteria into half of the gym.  Starting next week, students will eat in the gym so that renovations can begin on the cafeteria to assure it is completed by the opening of school in September.  Outside, the scaffolding has come down from the new wing and it is looking just great with new windows and soon new doors!  Meanwhile our educational programs go on each and every day.  Our project managers have been teaching our fifth grade students about the many ways math and science are used during construction.  Second graders have been coming to visit MHHS and our fifth graders have been visiting the middle school to assure a smooth transition for all.

May 12, 2011

Things are really moving along now on many sides of the school.  The new wing is taking shape with the brick facade almost completed, the roof completed and next week windows will be installed.  On the west side of the school, the driveway has been removed so that the site can be built up.  You can see a large tank being installed for water storage for our sprinkler system.  Inside the new wing, walls are up, ventilation systems are in place and soon doors and windows will be installed.  Students continue to have fun watching the construction from the playground and our fifth graders are working on a math/science unit all about the building project.  It's great fun!

April 27, 2011

We've learned some new and interesting facts lately about our building project.  Pictures below show the use of a laser for assuring pipes are laid at the proper angle.  You can see the laser in the large pipe and the worker looking down the pipeline.  We are also having very large drainage pipes for storm water placed under our bus parking lot.  They are five feet in diameter.  This has involved ledge removal.  Interesting fact:  the "pads" used during this work are made of old tires and weigh about 5,000 pounds each!  You can see one being lowered by the crane.  We learn something new every day!!

April 11, 2011   

How exciting to watch the cement blocks build our new walls!  Soon we won't be able to see inside the new wing, but it is fun to watch it grow.  The connector between the new wing and our main building is also being installed and once again we'll be "connected."  Drainage pipes are being placed to allow for storm water to drain properly. 

March 24, 2011

Construction of the new wing is speeding along.  The concrete slab has been poured, with seven cement trucks arriving an hour.  It was all done in one day!  The steel structure is now being erected and the beams students and staff signed have been put up as well.  You can see the white signed beams in the pictures below.  It was an exciting time for us all when our own beams went up!  John Tracey one of our project managers spent time in Mr. Schlosser's class answering questions and giving them information about what's happening outside their window.  Most classes can now see construction work in the inner courtyard and are enjoying learning about the various equipment and construction.  We've been interested to learn that there are women on the construction teams as well.  It's all very exciting. 

March 7, 2011

WOW!!  It's hard to believe construction has only been occurring for a few weeks.  Already you can see the basic shape of the new wing emerging.  Foundation footings have been poured.  You can see the beginning of plumging installation, where the new furnace room will be and outlines for classrooms.  Soon the foundation will be poured.  We've also had lots of fun having all staff and students signing beams that will be forever part of the new wing structure!

February 15, 2011

COMING SOON!  Several more trailers will be arriving in the next few weeks to house construction managers for services such as plumbing, mechanicals and other important aspects of our project.  These smaller trailers will be placed in front of the school so they are easily accessible to all involved in the project.  We continue to be excited about the progress of our new wing.  Foundation walls are now being poured.  Soon, we'll begin to see framework.

February 7, 2011

AMAZING!  Despite this snowy winter, construction has begun.  We have been awaiting this exciting start to our new wing.  Surveyors are here measuring, snow removal of the building site has been done, and the concrete foundation will be poured.  Students are busily journaling again as they gaze out the fifth grade windows to monitor the progress.  Curriculum connections will begin again, with project managers talking with students, our school newspaper following the project, and math and science related projects.  It's all very exciting.

 Preparing the building site:  clearing snow, surveying and pouring the foundation.