Dear HM Families,
As we complete the acoustic work and install the modular classrooms, we now turn our attention to Horace Mann's longer term space needs. As the next part of our addition/renovation project, the city will engage in the process of selecting a design firm to work with the our community to improve our facility over the next several years.
On Thursday, January 23rd from 6-9pm at the Newton Public Library, members of Newton's Design Selection Committee will gather to hear presentations from three design firms who have expressed interest in working on our school improvement project. Each of the firms will have the chance to make 15-20 minute presentations followed by 10-15 minutes of questions.
We will have a small group of staff and parents in attendance to view the presentations alongside the members of the design selection committee. The design selection committee will listen to the presentations, consider our input, and then send a recommendation to the mayor. The mayor has the final say regarding which firm is ultimately selected.
Below is a memo I sent to the Design Selection Committee and to the firms who will be presenting next week:
To Members of the Design Selection Committee:
Below is a brief description of the things we would like the design team to think about as they prepare their presentations next week…
1. The most important element of this partnership is for us to have a good working relationship with the design team. This means having a team that will work with our teachers and other stakeholders around design ideas - both from an educational perspective as well as practical considerations. Related to this, the design team should also be comfortable and competent in working with a knowledgeable, supportive and engaged parent community.
2. We are also looking for a team that can be creative and ingenious with regard to their design ideas, given that we need to make modifications to existing spaces as well as adding new space. The design should include concepts that will make the space more welcoming and illustrative of an elementary school environment. The things that we are looking to improve in our building are included in the list below:
- Creating larger classrooms and adding new classrooms.
- Adding/creating small group breakout spaces.
- Adding/creating teacher work spaces.
- Creating additional staff and student bathrooms.
- Adding some kind of community/performance/cafetorium space
- Adding storage options
- Adding playground elements
3. Finally, and equally important, we are looking for a team that can manage a school site that will be in session throughout the renovation process. The design team should be effective in working with the school-based team to create and manage a schedule that minimizes disruption to the learning process for students as well as to the other essential aspects of the school experience.
Sincerely,
The Horace Mann Community
After the design firm is selected, we will assemble a committee of parents and staff who will work with the newly hired firm to collaborate on this renovation. I will share details about that process when we are ready for that step. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mark Nardelli
Principal
