By Kris Goracke

news@pctribune.com

“More project-based and hands-on learning” was one of the top responses given by parents in a survey last spring addressing the question, “What would you like to see at Glacial Hills Elementary?”  And that is exactly what the school is offering to its students this year.

Truly, the school is offering more than that, the school underwent a complete makeover this summer under the creative vision of director Jodee Lund and staff.   This makeover provides new space for the students – space for learning, space for community and space for exploring. 

The extensive makeover did not come without a cost, but thanks to community financial support, the Gladys Brang Foundation, as well as other grants, the school raised over $100,000 to date. “When we began planning, I proposed to the school board to set a goal for $60,000 in two months. Once approved, the fundraising began,” explained Lund. Helping Lund organize and run the capital campaign were board member Aimee Thompson and community member Dave Thompson. “The fundraising far exceeded our goal.  And so, when the school year ended, the dream of enhancing our space began to transform into action,” said Lund. 

 One of the first projects was the reorganizing of classrooms.  “Last school year the Minnesota Safety Center conducted a safety assessment. This provided us with recommendations on how to make our school safer for everyone.  One recommendation was to have the administration offices in the front of the building and the little students’ area away from the entrance.  This accomplish this, we created wings in the building – a pre-K to second grade wing and a third to sixth grade wing,” said Lund. 

A long-term goal of the school is to stabilize the school’s enrollment. “To help meet this goal, we decided to expand the pre-school. We now have capacity for 40 students ages 3 – 5 years old.  With this space we are able to offer flexibility for families. We offer half-days or full days, as well as the flexibility of attending anywhere from 2 to 5 days each week,” said Lund.  Currently, 18 students are enrolled.  “We recognize the high need for childcare in our community.  By offering a flexible schedule at a price that’s comparable to day care, we feel we are providing a needed service to our community,” she said.

Meeting the needs to provide more project-based learning, a new space was created for students in grades fourth through sixth.  The space, decorated in an environmental theme, can be three separate rooms or can be transformed into a lab for students to collaborate on project learning by opening up the spacers (garage door).

Another makeover change focuses on helping students be successful academically. Each paraprofessional now has their own space.  “In this area, the paras are able to work individually or in groups with our students.  And, because the paras are in the same space, they are able to set-up stations for the students to rotate as their work on their skills,” Lund explained.

Two new rooms that will enhance learning as well as community are the Rainbow Room and the community room. The Rainbow Room is a space where teachers can check out for horticulture, wildlife and/or art activities for their class.  The large community room serves not only as a place for lunch time, but also as a common space for school-wide assemblies.

It has been a busy summer at Glacial Hills.  Lund, as well as many of the staff have given their time and talents getting ready for the students this fall. Soon the doors will open and the hallways and classrooms will be busy with excitement and learning.  “We would like to thank all the businesses who supported this dream for our students,” said Lund.  Businesses supporting this project are:  Samuelson Drug, Affordable Flooring, Precision Auto, Minnewaska Liquor, Tom’s Market, R/C Machining-Brent Cochran, Eagle Bank, Old National, ABS, Dycast, FAST, Dave Thompson, Minnewaska Realty, Marthaler, Ecosystem, Massman and Magnifi Credit Union.