Briarcliff Unveils Active Learning Spaces at the Middle and High Schools

From Briarcliff Manor Union Free School District:

BRIARCLIFF MANOR, NY - Briarcliff Manor students moved from seat to seat, some sitting in front of large screens and working in small groups with a teacher, others swiveling between desks and tables, and still others curled up in comfortable chairs with their MacBooks, showcasing how they are able to work independently and collaboratively with ease in the three new active learning spaces at the middle school and high school.

During special ribbon-cutting ceremonies on November 2, administrators, students and teachers shared how they are taking advantage of the flexible learning spaces, technological offerings and new furniture in the middle school library, high school writing lab and high school science research center. The three spaces received facelifts over the summer thanks to a record-breaking $97,000 grant from the Briarcliff Manor Education Foundation.

“This is the epitome of 21st century learning,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. James Kaishian. “It’s interdisciplinary. [In the writing lab], they are not just working on English essays; they may be working on a science conclusion or a math presentation. It really is where all the disciplines come together and is about collaboration and communication.”

Members of the community were invited to view the spaces up close and speak with administrators, teachers and students about how the spaces are being used every day.

“It’s so wonderful that we have a wireless environment here,” said Briarcliff Middle School Principal Susan Howard of the library media center’s transformed space. “The furniture supports the ability for kids to gather around a presentation area, sit together in collaborative groupings or still have quiet time in the corner if they need to focus and study.”

Science research teacher Melissa Carnahan and English department coordinator Jamie Mandel praised the flexibility of the new high school spaces, which allow students to alter the setup and their workspaces on a day-to-day basis if needed.

High school Principal Debora French added that students can’t stop saying good things about the spaces and even offered their input during the design phase, including what colors to use on the new walls.

“The phrase that comes to mind is, ‘Build it and they will come,’” said French. “And that is exactly what has happened here. This has become the hub, which is what we had hoped for.”

Dr. Kaishian said the district will continue moving forward in implementing 21st century learning techniques and spaces. “This is the first step in a multi-year process to be transformative here in Briarcliff so that we prepare students for the 21st century, and we could not have done it without the BMEF,” he said.

Photo 1: Briarcliff Middle School library media specialist Teka McCabe worked with students to demonstrate how they work collaboratively to utilize technology in the room’s new active learning space during the Nov. 2 ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Photo 2: A look inside the Briarcliff Middle School library’s new active learning space – one of three new MS/HS active learning spaces unveiled at the Nov. 2 ribbon cutting.
Photo 3: Briarcliff High School Principal Debora French, flanked by English department coordinator Jamie Mandel (left) and science research teacher Melissa Carnahan, prepared to cut the ribbon officially unveiling the school’s revamped writing lab and new science research center at the Nov. 2 ceremony.
Photos 4-6: A look inside the new science research center at Briarcliff High School – one of three new MS/HS active learning spaces unveiled at the Nov. 2 ribbon cutting.
Photo 7: A look inside the reimagined writing lab at Briarcliff High School – one of three new MS/HS active learning spaces unveiled at the Nov. 2 ribbon cutting.
Photos courtesy of the Briarcliff Manor Union Free School District.