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Lyndonville debuts new digs [The Journal-Register, Medina, N.Y.](Journal-Register (Medina, NY) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) June 16--LYNDONVILLE -- Walking down the halls of the L.A. Webber Middle/High School it's easy to see that the lockers are shinny and new and some of the walls have gotten a fresh coat of paint. But to get an idea of some of the improvements to curriculum that have been achieved through recent building upgrades, you have to take a step inside some of the classrooms. During Thursday's open house at the Lyndonville Central School District, area residents got a chance to do just that. People were able to tour the new state-of-the-art school facilities that were designed as part of a $10 million capital improvement project. "We've been preparing students for 21st century college and careers," said Superintendent Barbara Deane-Williams, who will be leaving the district June 30. "We're having the school reflect what college and work life is like, as well as preparing them for more digitized learning." Every kindergarten through 12th-grade classroom is now equipped with a Smart board and interactive response systems with access to digital content. Students can also get connected with AutoCAD design software in the computer design studio, audio and video equipment in the new television studio, and at the Gateway to Technology Center. The work that was completed this spring was part of a $9.9 million project approved by voters in November 2007. The project included the creation of instructional supports in classrooms, as well as a new entrance, lobby, lockers, trophy cases and main office at the middle/high school. Other upgrades include new roofing at the middle/high school, parking lot improvements, HVAC improvements for energy efficiency and handicapped accessibility upgrades including the installation of an elevator at the elementary school. The district also received a $700,000 Carol White Grant with the help of Congresswoman Louise Slaughter and Sen. Charles Schumer, which afforded the district the ability to design Project Adventure in the middle/high school gymnasium. Project Adventure features physical activities such as a duo climbing wall, "the centipede" and ExerDance. District leaders say the activities allow students to learn trust, respect and constructive risk-taking while being physically active. The Fitness and Wellness Center is filled with dozens of treadmills, elliptical machines, arc trainers, Adaptive Motion Trainers, bikes, rowing machines and Cybex machines, as well as free weights, archery equipment, golf clubs, kayaks and canoes. There is also an area for dance and exercise. According to Lori Lamay, supervisor of the Wellness Center, the space is not only for students. The Parent Teacher Association sponsors a Community Wellness Program in which residents can utilize the room. "We get a pretty good turnout," she said. "We're trying to spread the word." Outgoing school board member William Jurnich has been heavily involved in the capital project over the last couple years, and said he was happy to be able to tour the finished project Thursday. "I'm relieved. I was really hoping the project would be done by the time I left (the board)," he said. Jurinich said the building upgrades and improvements were much needed, and will save the district money. "Just by going from a heating system that uses steam to one that uses hot water saves the district thousands," he said. ___ To see more of The Journal-Register or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.journal-register.com/. Copyright (c) 2011, The Journal-Register, Medina, N.Y. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com, e-mail [email protected], or call 866-280-5210 (outside the United States, call +1 312-222-4544) |