Coal Creek Elementary School

​​Latest Updates

​​August 2019​
The renovation project is moving into the final stages and Adolfson & Peterson and school staff are busily working to prepare for the return of students next week. Inside, crews are assembling furniture, cleaning, and moving items from storage as well as working on the punch list of final items. School staff are busy unpacking and setting up rooms. Outside, work is wrapping up on the playgrounds and sod is being installed. The areas with new turf will be off-limits (designated by orange fence) for several weeks while the grass takes root. Minor activity will continue evenings and weekends into the school year as the project team works to finish up final items. We will start the year with air conditioning throughout the school! Please keep in mind, the new HVAC system will take some time to get fully adjusted, there will be some hot/cold issues while we work to get it dialed in. More  ​

​​​​​

Project Details

Project Team

Details

Scope of Work

​FACILITY CONDITION

• Replace exterior windows
• Improvements to interior finishes such as carpet, flooring,  and paint
• HVAC system improvements
• Electrical system improvements
• Site improvements such as paving and irrigation
• Renovate playfield
• Audio enhancement in every classroom
• Building-wide air conditioning (amended Feb. 27, 2019)

PROGRAM COMPATIBILITY ASSESSMENT

• Provide space for full-day kindergarten
• Provide space for preschool
• Renovate gym
• Restroom renovations
• Provide adequate Special Education space
• Renovate staff lounge/workroom 

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

• Upgrade playground equipment and surface material

SAFETY AND SECURITY

• Install camera/intercom security system
• Install electronic security controls
• Install security partitions

SUSTAINABILITY

• Replace boilers with more efficient condensing type
• Upgrade HVAC controls
• Upgrade lighting
• Conduct retro-commissioning and repairs

INNOVATION

Coal Creek Elementary School is eligible to receive up to $200,000 in additional funds to implement facility improvements that support innovative teaching methods. 

Innovation Project

The primary focus of the Innovation project at Coal Creek Elementary is to convert the cafeteria into a presentation-friendly space that encourages meaningful interaction and inquiry. In addition, lightweight, moveable furniture was purchased for the library and classrooms to allow easy transition among different learning activities.  The project aligns with three of BVSD's Innovation Guiding Principles: Learning is a Social Process, Learning Fosters a Culture of Curiosity and Risk-taking, and Learning is Founded in Inquiry.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

To develop the school's project, staff worked together to develop responses to the following guiding questions: 

1. Briefly describe the project that you plan to implement with your Innovation Funds.

The primary focus of Coal Creek’s innovation funds will be centered on transforming underutilized facilities into space that encourages meaningful interaction and inquiry in a safe and atypical learning environment. Our plan primarily centers on revitalizing the cafeteria into a presentation-friendly unique learning space.  This will result in a welcoming and open environment with creative seating and work-study options. 

A secondary focus of innovation funds will be for the purchase of new furniture, teaching, and learning items and resources for the Library and classrooms, so as to highlight social and multiple education pathways.

Our vision is to provide the Library with shelving and furniture that can be arranged according to particular learning activities and themes.  The current configuration does not allow for this.  For example, during the 2018-19 school year, we have launched a student-led news and current events program entitled, “Puma Vision,” which is facilitated by the Teacher-Librarian.  Though we have the technology and basic hardware to communicate the student video casts to classrooms and to parents via a link, we lack the space in the Library to stage a desired “news studio.”  This is just one way in which we would like to transform the learning environment.  There are many other projects that our teachers have designed which could be enhanced through the redesigned Library environment.

Remaining funds for new furniture will be funneled toward classrooms in order to provide children with adjustable desks and creative seating associated with the comfort and sensory needs of individuals

2. How will you involve stakeholders in the decision-making process concerning the use of the innovation funds for your site?

An Innovation Team was created in the Spring of 2018 comprised of the Principal and his Assistant, Librarian (previous intermediate teacher), primary teacher, PE teacher and SPED teacher. We have worked closely with the guidance of the District Innovation Team, our DAT and the assigned Bond Project Manager.

The Principal presented an initial design overview to our Leadership Team on 9/6/18 and several of our Innovation Team members presented a more detailed plan at the Staff Meeting on 9/13/18. We prepared a peardeck to receive honest and immediate response from the staff. From there we took into consideration their feedback and moved forward toward our final plan and innovation order.

Student input will be solicited as appropriate during the planning process,  primarily through Student Council Representatives, especially where playground renovations as part of the bond project are concerned.  Based on prior student input, we are aware  that Coal Creek students enjoy the many guest speakers, special projects, and highlighted activities in science and social studies presented by the instructional faculty during the school year.  The innovation renewal in the cafe’, Library, and classrooms will have the potential to enhance these experiences for children at Coal Creek.

3. How does your project support The Success Effect? (BVSD's Strategic Plan-Mission/Vision/Goals)

Coal Creek’s innovation plans supports the Success Effect via the District’s Mission to provide a learning environment that will offer a “comprehensive and innovative approach to education” by creating “challenging, meaningful and engaging learning opportunities”…which is the District’s mission. It is always a goal both in our existing space, along with our new innovative spaces to provide a “safe, healthy and inclusive environment” for our students as well as our invaluable staff and community members.

4. Review the Innovation Guiding Principles and discuss with your stakeholders. How will your project align to one or more of the guiding principles?
 

Learning is founded in inquiry will be supported by:

• Presentation areas in the renovated cafe’ and Library.

• A variety of soft seating/flexible tables (standing), in both these areas and the classrooms.

Learning fosters a culture of curiosity and risk taking is supported by:

• Non-traditional surfaces/mobile whiteboards for brainstorming, writing, composing

• Presentation zones (exterior and interior) for both small groups along with entire grade level participation

Learning is a social process is supported by:

• Equipment and table settings for small group work critique

• Common spaces for multiple groups working concurrently

• Physical and technology structures that are flexible and adaptable supporting collaborative group work

• Common spaces zoned for multiple learning modalities

5. Determine what your learning outcomes are for your innovation. What will happen as a result of this innovation?

If we provide purposeful, engaging, and collaborative spaces for instruction and discovery, then both our students’ multiple intelligences and the social processes of education are highlighted, resulting in increased access to the curriculum (eg., equity), the encouragement of creativity, and improved student enjoyment, knowledge, and achievement.  Progress towards achieving these outcomes will be measured in several ways, as described below.

6. Determine how you will measure the progress towards and achievement of your learning outcome. What is your plan for gathering data to show that the change is positively impacting learning at your site?

Quantitative Data: BVSD  Educator Effectiveness Model

Standard II:    Learning Environment.  Teachers establish a safe, inclusive and respectful learning environment for a diverse population of students.

Target Element:  A. Teachers demonstrate knowledge of current developmental science, the ways in which learning takes place, and the appropriate levels of intellectual, social, and emotional development of their students.

Target Element:  B. Teachers demonstrate a commitment to and respect for diversity.

Standard III:  Teachers plan and deliver effective instruction and create an environment  that facilitates learning for their students.  (Targeted Elements TBD by individual teachers in conference with the Principal during fall conferences, 2019). 

Qualitative Data 

Teacher meeting/input from September 2018 Leadership Team meeting, Faculty Meeting September 13, and possible subsequent surveys via Google Doc, fall, 2018.   Input solicited from the PTA/SAC and our DAT parent/community representatives following presentation by principal (September 2018 and October 2018) After project completion, we will collect examples of student work and use video/photos to document impact of the space, to be displayed on the BVSD Bond Project website.

7. What professional learning and support might your staff might need in order to reach the desired learning outcomes for the space

Teachers will need to understand how to use the space and the common areas. This learning could happen online and throughout the school year. 

We will utilize our Habits of Mind framework and the UIP goals for 2018-19 to design professional development around specific projects (eg., the IHOMLC Digital Portfolio Project), Presentations (curriculum/grade-level based, eg., Revolutionary War/Gr. 5), and use of space (activities and schedules for appropriate use of the Sensory Motor Lab).

We will work on additional planning and scheduling during upcoming Professional Development days as provided by the District in 2018-2020