District 205 Focuses on Building Future-Ready Learning Classrooms

Three District 205 classes will be getting some major upgrades: the District 205 Foundation for Educational Excellence recently unanimously approved a $50,000 sum to go toward funding the Future Ready Model Classroom Project.

The project, which aims to create future-ready learning environments for one K-2 grade level classroom, one 3-5 grade level classroom and one 6-8 grade level classroom, began this summer and should conclude late this fall, according to a release.

“Helping to move the District further along the spectrum of Future Ready Learning is definitely something we want to be involved with,” Foundation Chair Brian Bresnahan said in the release. “I think the community will see the value it in and support us.”

The architectural firm Wright & Company was hired by the District to aid in this project. According to the firm, a “future ready learning environment” is agile and must accommodate small group collaboration, learning commons, hubs for social learning, tech areas and STEM spaces, among other features. Fitness, outdoor learning and overall health were also considered. Safety and security, of course, were top priorities.

The schools picked to receive these modern accommodations are Fischer Elementary School for a kindergarten classroom, Lincoln Elementary School for a third-grade classroom and Bryan Middle School for a sixth-grade classroom.

Chosen schools were handpicked by the District’s Learning and Teaching Department, said Melea Smith, the Director of Communications and Public Relations for District 205. School principals nominated individual teachers at their establishments to receive the new classrooms, and, through those recommendations, the department chose representatives for each grade span.

Geri Sorrentino, the Foundation Programs Chair, said in the release it has been obvious teachers are needing classroom facilities that will evolve as their curriculum, technology and students evolve.

“The fact that we received multiple Thiems Grant applications requesting new types of seating options, desks and other furnishings, is evidence that teachers want their classrooms to evolve in order to meet current needs,” Sorrentino said.

Once the new classrooms are completed, the District plans to gather feedback from participating teachers and students and to eventually develop a new District standard for learning spaces.

An open house for Foundation Board members, invited Foundation donors and anyone who contributed financially to the project will take place at Bryan Middle School on Monday, Oct. 17.

“We are thrilled with the Foundation’s support for Future Ready learning in the District,” Superintendent of Schools David Moyer told Patch. “We could not be more appreciative and are excited for the potential that this project has to begin to shape future decisions about how we utilize space to support learning and teaching.”

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