Press-Republican

Local News

Related Photos

  • Staff Photos/Rob Fountain

    images_sizedimage_117043054

  • images_sizedimage_117043058

Discussion

PLEASE NOTE: There is a 150 word maximum for comments. All comments greater than 150 words in length will be deleted in their entirety.

ALSO NOTE: Derisive name-calling of an individual or group will result in the entire comment being deleted. This includes the terms "stupid" and "idiot" and similar references.

Welcome to our new online comments feature. Before you can join the discussion, you must first register with Disqus and verify your email address.

Once you do, your comments will post after they have been reviewed by a moderator.

We welcome your thoughts and your opinions, including unpopular ones. We ask only that you keep the conversation civil and clean.

Not all comments are deemed printable. Some are disqualified, at the newspaper’s discretion, for a number of reasons. Here are some typical practices to avoid in trying to get your comment printed:

There is a 150 word maximum for comments. All comments greater than 150 words in length will be deleted in their entirety.

Don’t state as a fact something that is unsubstantiated or that our editors wouldn't know to be true.

Don’t presume someone’s guilt in a case when it hasn't been established by a court.

Don’t assail or impugn an identifiable individual or group. If you have that kind of criticism, sign your name and submit it as a Letter to the Editor. (There is some leeway on this in connection with public officials, but it is not unconditional.)

Don’t use profanity. This includes the term “tea bagger.”

Don’t be incendiary or tasteless. Those qualities are subjective, of course, and our editors will be the arbiters.

Do not identify yourself in the main content area of the article content form. Only by enforcing this rule can the moderators prevent unscrupulous commenters from falsely identifying themselves as someone they are not.

Don't type in all caps. It is considered the Internet equivalent of shouting.

In sports articles, do not criticize officiating.

Remember, moderators are not allowed to edit any article comments. If an article comment fails any of the above criteria, the entire comment will be deleted.

We monitor comments Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Approval of comments outside these times may be delayed.
comments powered by Disqus
April 26, 2008

AuSable Valley students design new school

'They are ... experiencing the building every day"

By STEPHEN BARTLETT

PLATTSBURGH -- Jeremy Tennian wants to design golf courses someday.

Today, he's building himself a new school.

"First, we looked at the way the school is built and how inefficient it is in some areas," said the AuSable Valley Central School junior.

He and other students presented building plans this week to school officials and representatives of SEI design group, the Albany-based architectural firm hired by the district to design a renovation project funded through EXCEL aid. High School students in Alta Jo Longware's architectural class did this as part of their final project and exam.

"It was a great opportunity for my students," Longware said.

SOUGHT INPUT

Last year, voters approved the renovation project, which includes work district-wide, including technology upgrades, new classrooms, health-and-safety items and security improvements.

New York state provided school districts with EXCEL aid to offset the taxpayer share of construction costs.

"I was trying to come up with ways to incorporate meaningful student input into the planning and design of the EXCEL project renovations at the Middle/High School," Marlow said.

She turned to Longware, who thought the project would be perfect for her architectural students.

Armed with a project overview and blueprints, students spoke with stakeholders to glean individual needs and wants, centered on themes such as increased natural lighting, improved traffic flow, better utilization of space and increased access to outdoor spaces.

Students spent three months on designs and created final proposals, which they presented to the architectural firm and district administrative team.

Proposals included designs on a senior lounge, secure entrance, library/audio media center, school store, front office and modern cafeteria.

SENIOR LOUNGE

"A lot of starting the project was going around and taking measurements to see what we had to work with," said senior Nathan Stafford.

He and Tennian created a senior lounge with a kitchenette area, increased lighting and separating half wall, as well as an outdoor area with trees, flowers and seating.

"It makes a nice environment for kids to go out and study," Stafford said.

ENTRANCEWAY

Next up, Nicholas Payette and Shawn Ahrens outlined their version of a renovated secure entrance to the Middle/High School. They adjusted it for increased safety and turned the first two classrooms to the right of the entrance into a conference/media room.

They added an office for attendance, seating for people awaiting admittance to the school and two security cameras.

"You can basically see everything coming up to the ramp," Payette said.

LIBRARY

Just inside the school, across the hall, lies the library, another focus of the project.

Alex LaFountain described plans for a library/audio room that featured fewer book shelves, allowing for more space and sofa chairs.

"So a Borders kind of feel is what you are thinking," said AuSable School Superintendent Paul Savage.

Plans call for a raised roof to bring in more natural lighting, something being done in all district buildings.

CAFETERIA

Finally, Calvin LeClair spoke of rearranging lines in the cafeteria with a new entranceway to the serving area, and Ben Prentiss and Kyle Whitney suggested increasing break space and storage areas in the front offices.

"From our point of view, you had some really great ideas," said Matthew Monaghan, a senior principal with SEI design group. "This required a lot of work and research."

Parallels to his firm's preliminary thoughts on the project surprised him.

"It's great to get input from the students because they are here and experiencing the building every day."

sbartlett@pressrepublican.com

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Breaking News
  • City fire call

    Smoke in the basement at 11 Lorraine St. in Plattsburgh likely a dryer fire.

    Updated: 52m
Local News

Recent Article Comments
Albany Round-up

Photo of the Day
Strange News
Videos: Editor Picks
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix