There’s no going back now, as the contents of the “old” Malad Elementary School are being moved right next door to the “new” Malad Elementary School.  Ever since the interior has been completed, the process of moving decades worth of material over from its former home to its new one has been underway.  During the day, students, faculty, and staff have taken to transporting carts, bags, and boxes full.  Slowly but surely, things are being put in place.

On Monday, the doors were opened to the public, so that people could take a look at the new school.  The event, which took place during a sustained snowfall, brought in many families whose kids were concerned about making sure they knew where their new classrooms were.  As they ran the halls, they excitedly pointed out to their parents where various features such as the library, the gym, and the computer lab were. 

The other main contingent of visitors were those who themselves had gone to the old school, and wanted to see what the new building offered.  Right now, of course, the building is as new as it will ever be, and being relatively empty it has that unlimited potential that a new space possesses.  Over time it will simply become “the school” (although it’s a safe bet it will be called the “new school” for the next fifty years), and take on a more familiar air.  At present, though, it is an exciting new facility.  

The improvements over the old school have been recounted in previous articles on the school, but suffice it to say, it is a building in line with modern usage needs.  The classrooms are equipped with smart boards, monitors, internet connectivity, modular designs for maximizing space, sink and restroom accommodations in many of the rooms, large windows, and many other design improvements.  Safety has also been significantly increased, with a single daytime point of entry model making it much easier for staff to regulate who is in the school during the day.  The front office provides a clear view of the entrance, and will allow access to be granted securely.  

The gym is another marvel of the new building, with a brand new court just begging to be played on.  The gym will function as a partial auditorium, with a stage to the west side set up for performances.  The wings of the stage contain storage and classrooms for the music department as well.

The Library will be a central hub for activity, and fronts the building on the south side across from the main offices.  The library is spacious, and separate from the computer lab, which is itself a decently sized room.

The cafeteria is a major step up in terms of usable space and lighting, and will also be a central activity space.

Members of the school board and school district staff were also available to direct people through the building, and share jokes about experiences in the old building.  By and large, the reaction of visitors to the new facility was positive and excited.

Barring some sort of unexpected event, students are expecting to begin the next term in the new building, with Tuesday planned as the final day for students in the old building.

A tour of that building is also planned for sometime in the future, but a date has not officially been set.

Issues with the bond underlying the building have been discussed by Superintendent Jon Abrams in the past, and he plans to speak to the community again after the new school opens.  While the building itself will not be affected, the length of the bond will most likely need to be increased as a result of recent state legislation affecting funds allocated to the school district.  We will bring you updates to that part of the story as they become available.

In the meantime, we join excited students in looking forward to the beginning of a new era in school for the local students!