Tag: existing conditions

RECAP: Existing Conditions (Video)

Leah Comins MSBC Update ,
RECAP: Existing Conditions (Video)

Several Educational Videos on the Coakley Middle School project explain the existing conditions of the current Coakley building.

Click here to view: video #2 on daylighting
In the existing building, over 40% of core academic spaces, including the library media center, do not have views to the outdoors and rely solely on electrical lighting. Studies have shown that connection to the outdoors and natural light are beneficial to students’ wellbeing and can impact academic performance.

Click here to view: video #3 on undersized classrooms
About 85% of the educational spaces in the existing building do not meet the space requirements of the MSBA. This lack of space limits space for students, as well as educational tools and supplies. Six isolated classrooms are also located in modular units connected to the building, all of which are also undersized and have outlived their temporary use.

Click here to view: video #4 on the educational layout
In the past, two junior high schools served Norwood, the current Coakley and the current Savage Center. The layout of these sister schools combined grade level by program, similar to traditional high schools. The current Coakley is laid out with rings of classrooms around a center, not allowing for proper separation between grades levels, nor lending itself to the teaming structure the middle school implements.

Click here to view: video #6 on MEPFP infrastructure
Though the Coakley building is well maintained, it has many aging systems and requires updates to meet code requirements. The current heating and cooling system in the Coakley is operational, but has a number of non-functioning units that cause leaks. The building also requires additional cooling systems as the HVAC system is insufficient for the whole building, and the building needs many more electrical outlets throughout the building to support the increase in technology use for education.

Furthermore, the current fire alarm system does not have adequate detector coverage, and parts of the system do not meet ADA requirements. The current lighting in the building is also not up to energy code.

Click here to view: video #7 on accessibility compliance
Several aspects of the current building do not meet accessibility code compliance for individuals with disabilities. These aspects include door hardware, the main office and library check-in desks, building signage, many plumbing fixtures, stairs and fire protection systems. The building’s two existing elevators also create challenges as they are not in locations that allow for easy access between parts of the building.

View all Coakley Middle School Project Educational Videos here.

Norwood Residents Encouraged to Attend Final Community Forum, Building Tour to Learn About Coakley Middle School Project

Leah Comins MSBC Update , ,
Norwood Residents Encouraged to Attend Final Community Forum, Building Tour to Learn About Coakley Middle School Project

NORWOOD – The Town of Norwood would like to invite community members to participate in the final scheduled Community Forum and tour of the current Coakley Middle School building.

The final Community Forum is scheduled for Thursday, March 24 at 7 p.m., via Zoom.

Register in advance for the webinar here. Updates on the project will be presented, budget information will be shared and there will be an opportunity for attendees to ask questions related to the project. 

The final Coakley Middle School tour is scheduled for Saturday, March 26 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 

Registration is not required, and multiple brief tours will be led through the building during the time window. Residents are encouraged to attend to learn about the current building conditions and deficiencies, and learn about the improvements and design components expected of the proposed new building.

About the Project:

In 2017, the Norwood Public Schools completed a district-wide facility study to review the elementary and middle schools. Building performance, such as needed capital repairs; functional performance, such as enrollment numbers and overcrowding; and educational performance, such as existing learning spaces were the criteria used to evaluate each building.

The Coakley Middle School was identified as the school with the most building deficiencies. The current Coakley building is overcrowded and is in need of additional educational space for general and special education. Portions of the school lack natural lighting, require changes for accessibility compliance, and the mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection systems are aging and require updates for code compliance. The building would also benefit from hands-on learning spaces and dedicated teacher collaboration spaces.

The proposed new Coakley Middle School would open in 2025 for approximately 1,070 middle school students.

Norwood residents voted to approve a Town Meeting warrant article to fund the New Coakley Middle School Project at Special Town Meeting on Monday, March 14. Residents will now vote to approve the project in a ballot vote on Monday, April 4.

Learn more about the project and subscribe to receive email updates at newcmsproject.org.

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Educational Videos: Existing Conditions

Leah Comins MSBC Update , , , , ,
Educational Videos: Existing Conditions

Several Educational Videos on the Coakley Middle School project explain the existing conditions of the current Coakley building.

Click here to view: video #2 on daylighting
In the existing building, over 40% of core academic spaces, including the library media center, do not have views to the outdoors and rely solely on electrical lighting. Studies have shown that connection to the outdoors and natural light are beneficial to students’ wellbeing and can impact academic performance.

Click here to view: video #3 on undersized classrooms
About 85% of the educational spaces in the existing building do not meet the space requirements of the MSBA. This lack of space limits space for students, as well as educational tools and supplies. Six isolated classrooms are also located in modular units connected to the building, all of which are also undersized and have outlived their temporary use.

Click here to view: video #4 on the educational layout
In the past, two junior high schools served Norwood, the current Coakley and the current Savage Center. The layout of these sister schools combined grade level by program, similar to traditional high schools. The current Coakley is laid out with rings of classrooms around a center, not allowing for proper separation between grades levels, nor lending itself to the teaming structure the middle school implements.

Click here to view: video #6 on MEPFP infrastructure
Though the Coakley building is well maintained, it has many aging systems and requires updates to meet code requirements. The current heating and cooling system in the Coakley is operational, but has a number of non-functioning units that cause leaks. The building also requires additional cooling systems as the HVAC system is insufficient for the whole building, and the building needs many more electrical outlets throughout the building to support the increase in technology use for education.

Furthermore, the current fire alarm system does not have adequate detector coverage, and parts of the system do not meet ADA requirements. The current lighting in the building is also not up to energy code.

Click here to view: video #7 on accessibility compliance
Several aspects of the current building do not meet accessibility code compliance for individuals with disabilities. These aspects include door hardware, the main office and library check-in desks, building signage, many plumbing fixtures, stairs and fire protection systems. The building’s two existing elevators also create challenges as they are not in locations that allow for easy access between parts of the building.

View all Coakley Middle School Project Educational Videos here.