school renewal

The recent appearances of Tornados here in Ontario (including both Watches and Warnings from Environment Canada in my area) have reminded me of a most excellent entry submitted to the NECC 2009 Digital Storytelling Contest. I first viewed this film back in June, while perusing the various entries, prior to attending NECC in DC.

At the time, I was struck by the irony inherent in the story, in which a school, devastated by a tornado strike, was fortunate enough to benefit from considerable leadership so as to re-vision the school to coincide with the re-building and repairs. Build for the future, rather than re-build the past. (I was shortly thereafter pleasantly surprised when I realized that the school was from a district here within Ontario. I was even more pleased to have the opportunity to meet up with the film’s creator and her principal at NECC a few short weeks later, and sitting down to chat with them over dinner.)

Following damage by a tornado and a two-year reconstruction, Lawfield Elementary School in Hamilton Wentworth DSB, Ontario reopened with a newly revitalized vision. View this short 5 minute video to see how learning is described for the 21st Century learners.

So?

Opportunities for school plant renewal do not come frequently. In many non-growth districts (read outside of major metropolitan areas experiencing urban sprawl), declining enrollment typically results in the converse, school closures. Opportunities to infuse new money into buildings and re-allocate resources for major expenditures are very rare. Amortizing payments for renewal on a building that you may or may not need twenty years down the road can give one considerable pause for thought. As a simple example, consider something as ubiquitous as the kitchen (classroom) sink. Chances are, if they weren’t installing the plumbing for sinks in classrooms when a school was built (50 years ago, say), then those classrooms today STILL do not have sinks or running water — tearing up the concrete floors to run piping is just too expensive — so it will never happen in that building. (And let’s not even touch the issue of portables …)

One must seize the opportunity to renew for the long term when the opportunity arises.

How would YOU approach the opportunity of school renewal?

a) in terms of program re-vision/re-focus/re-structure?
b) in terms of teaching spaces (classrooms, if you wish)?
c) in terms of resources?

Please take a moment to comment with your list of essentials or wishes.
Rationales are also most welcome!