WJ Modernization

Early Spring Modernization Update

As February draws to a close, work on the third phase of the school's modernization is in full swing.

The old secondary entrance and Social Studies/Science wing are currently being modernized. This space should be ready for use by the school in late May of 2009. Highlights of this area are listed below.

• The new main entrance for the school is being constructed in the same area as the old secondary entrance, directly behind the flag area at the front of the building.
• The new entrance will feature a two story open entrance hall.
• The Culture Club is organizing a program to buy and display flags from all the countries represented by the school's student body. These flags will be hung from the ceiling of the new main entrance.
• This area will have a 'bridge' between the second floors.
• The new entrance will lead directly into the new student commons area.
• The school's new art gallery will be located in front of the entrance to the student commons.
• The new main office will have a wall of glass along the entrance hallway.
• The new student commons area will open for use in late May as well. Details are:
• There are three new offices in the commons area that can be used by student groups such as the SGA and leadership class.
• The area has a stair system that is very similar to the entrance of the cafeteria. There are large stepped seating areas that ring the entrance hall for student seating. The common area itself is divided into two levels with more of the built in student seating separating the two levels.
• There is an automated screen and projector for presentations and small assemblies.
• The space will also feature a heavy curtain that can be drawn across the entrance hall to separate groups using the space for events from traffic in the main hall.
• There are multiple doors along the eastern wall of the commons to access the interior courtyard. The stairwell leading from the student commons to the courtyard will also have the large built-in student seating areas.
• The new main office will open at the same time as the spaces listed above. Details are:
• A new vestibule between the exterior doors and the main office for visitors.
• New offices for the assistant principals, the business manager, attendance secretary, the administrative secretary, the financial assistant, and the principal. The principal's office will be used as the temporary home for the school's health clinic until the permanent location is finished in November of 2009.
• The office space also includes a testing room and new main office conference room.
• The modernized classroom wing will have updated space for the Science, Social Studies, and FACs departments.
• The second floor will contain four new science classrooms. These spaces will be similar to the new labs spaces that opened for use in December of 2008 (part of phase two) There will be two chemistry and two biology classrooms in this area.
• The first floor contains new classrooms and a department office for social studies. All classrooms on all three floors will have new HVAC systems, new electrical service and all new furnishings.
• The ground floor will house the new FACS kitchen and the new child development classroom and lab space. The floor will also have classroom space for Health classes.
• In addition to all the changes inside the building, the courtyard adjacent to the new student commons and the front wing will be redone with new walkways and new play equipment for the child development classes.

These web pages will be updated throughout the modernization with additional information.

The Assistant Principal with oversight responsibility during the planning phase is Mr. Chris Merrill