BOBCATS: Under Construction!
Volume 2, Number 12
We are committed to keeping your children safe and keeping families informed about the progress of construction work at Sumner Middle School.
Making Progress
The view from Willow certainly looks a lot different than it did just a few weeks ago. The main office and entry way have taken shape. The roof is going on and as soon as Friday, the area could be dried-in. The contractors are working on a creative way to separate the space from the massive commons so they can begin to pump in heat and start the drywall. YEAH! It will be about two weeks before we can expect such progress, but it's getting close. There has been a lot of progress in the 7th grade hall, too. The new roof is on and the windows are installed. Contactors have been pumping heat into the area for a few days now so drywall should begin next week (it gets delivered Monday!).
And finally, the library…by the end of next week, the masons should be done with their work in this area. The iron workers will return on Valentine's Day to finish the library roof and decking around the elevator (how appropriate since we love our ironworkers!).
BOBCATS: Under Construction!
Volume 2, Number 11
We are committed to keeping your children safe and keeping families informed about the progress of construction work at Sumner Middle School.
Can’t Wait to See You
Winter Break gave our contractors time and space to get a lot accomplished around the campus. The main office has been framed and the future 7th grade wing is growing. We can’t wait to show off these spaces and our mostly-completed Encore wing next Monday at our Open House. This event starts at 5:30 p.m. and will go until 6:30 p.m. Maple Lawn parents will also have an opportunity to hear Assistant Superintendent Craig Spencer talk about the plans for Maple Lawns remodel. We can’t wait to see you!
Thank you!
We appreciate all of our parents’ flexibility as we have had to shift some procedures due to construction needs. We’ve been using Willow as a waiting area for students being picked up by parents and are so pleased at how well pick up is going. Students are doing a fabulous job using our cross walk and supervisors to safely get across the street both in the morning and afternoon. Well done Bobcats.
Making Progress
Our teachers are now in the process of helping select the furniture for their remodeled classrooms. With student safety and learning in mind, staff take this responsibility very seriously as they also consider cost and durability. This next step proves there is light at the end of the construction tunnel.
BOBCATS: Under Construction!
Volume 2, Number 10
We are committed to keeping your children safe and keeping families informed about the progress of construction work at Sumner Middle School.
Did you see that crane?
On Tuesday we watched 4 semi-trucks deliver the pieces of a gigantic crane. It was assembled on Wednesday afternoon and by Thursday morning it towered 200 feet into the air. This crane will be on campus for a couple of weeks and will require us to make temporary changes to parking and accessibility to the bus loop. We‘re all eager to watch the construction progress as the crane does its work!
Bus Loop
Until further notice, the bus loop is closed to traffic. Choir and band parents are asked to drop off kids at the end of the 400 (main office hall) and exit down our side road between the 8th grade portables and tennis courts. Orange cones mark off closed areas. For everyone’s safety, please do not go around the cones.
PM Pick-Ups
Due to the location of the crane and construction equipment, we need to have all students who are picked up go to Willow to meet their ride. Our driveway and rode alongside the tennis courts are not available to vehicles at this time.
Food Drive
We have partnered with our construction crew in bringing in 2000 non-perishable food items by December 10. This event, The Food Bowl, is sponsored by SHS and BLHS in hopes of filling the shelves of the Bonney Lake Food Bank during this season of giving. Classes at each grade level are competing as homerooms to bring in the most food and winners will receive a party hosted by SHS student Leadership. Please help us reach our goal and support our community in the name of generosity and school spirit.
Encore Wing
We are planning to celebrate the opening of the Encore Wing with an open house for families the evening of January 10. Look for more details about this event after Winter Break.
BOBCATS: Under Construction!
Volume 2, Number 9
We are committed to keeping your children safe and keeping families informed about the progress of construction work at Sumner Middle School.
Everyone Helps By Keeping it Safe: A reminder
We need to take this opportunity to remind drivers to be mindful of their speed on Willow and on our driveway. The speed limit in our driveway and parking area are a safe 5 miles per hour. Also, instruct your child to exit the sidewalk side of your vehicle, not towards into the street, and only after you have pulled up to the curb. Student and staff safety is our priority and we appreciate watching adults model exceptional safe driving skills to our future drivers.
Did you see that crane?
Over the last two weeks, there have been substantial changes to the middle of our building. The "H" column, a structure that creates the opening between the school commons and the new auxiliary gym, is complete. Pretty cool! The elevator received the final 6' of concrete added this week, which means that work is complete. To the west of the elevator, you will see a low block wall. This is the base of the stage. A “small” crane and steel were delivered. Finally, the framework of our school is taking shape!
I imagine our middle schoolers are in awe as this fantastic work happens on our campus. Speaking of cranes - we’re waiting for the arrival of a larger crane that will be placed in the middle of our future common area. Its job will be to lift the beams that will frame the middle of our building. This dramatic work is sure to keep our staff and students excited about the next construction stages.
Bus Loop
Our bus loop is a safe, car-free turn-around area for busses. Unless dropping off 6:30 band/choir students, please do not use the bus loop. Parking is available behind the main office.
Gym
Our gym opened on Tuesday and has been the site of some amazing girls’ basketball games. The gleaming floors and comfortable bleachers dramatically show off our Bobcat Spirit. Be sure to take a peek during conferences. We’d also love to see you at our games, cheering on our kids!
BOBCATS: Under Construction!
Volume 2, Number 8
We are committed to keeping your children safe and keeping families informed about the progress of construction work at Sumner Middle School.
Everyone Helps By Keeping it Safe: A reminder
We need to take this opportunity to remind drivers to be mindful of their speed on Willow and on our driveway. The speed limit in our driveway and parking area are a safe 5 miles per hour. Also, please instruct your child to exit the sidewalk side of your vehicle, not towards into the street, and only after you have pulled up to the curb. Student and staff safety is our priority and we appreciate watching adults model exceptional safe driving skills to our future drivers.
Encore, Encore!
Work continues on our gym and it’s looking great. The floor is almost done and discussions are underway with an artist about the new Bobcat design that will adorn our center court. Our gym is slated to open the second week of November! Our Bobcat families will certainly enjoy attending sporting events in our new venue. Current Bobcats and Alumni will certainly enjoy the new flooring, bleachers, scoreboards and equipment. Plans for our first dance and our Fall Family Night are underway. Our Family Night will give families the opportunity to take a tour through the new Encore Wing. Stay tuned for information about dates.
BOBCATS: Under Construction!
Volume 2, Number 7
We are committed to keeping your children safe and keeping families informed about the progress of construction work at Sumner Middle School.
Keeping it Safe:
We need to take this opportunity to remind drivers to be mindful of their speed on Willow and on our driveway. The speed limit in our driveway and parking area are a safe 5 miles per hour. Also, instruct your child to exit the sidewalk side of your vehicle, not towards into the street, and only after you have pulled up to the curb. Student and staff safety is our priority and we appreciate watching adults model exceptional safe driving skills to our future drivers.
Monday is a big day for SUMNER MIDDLE SCHOOL – we’re opening the new computer labs in the Encore Wing as well as the locker rooms for PE classes. These moves allow Ms. Walter and Mr. Brown to move their classrooms to the 8th grade portable zone. What this means is we adjusted our areas to accommodate new traffic patterns. Here is a summary of the changes:
The 7th grade zone Willow entrance will be closed as of Monday. Walkers will enter the building from the driveway to access main hall or the walkway between SUMNER MIDDLE SCHOOL and MAPLE LAWN ELEMENTARY to access the 7th grade and Encore Wings. 6th graders will continue to start their day in the MAPLE LAWN ELEMENTARY gym. 7th and 8th grade bus riders will notice that the buses make 2 stops in the bus zone. The first stop will be for students entering the Encore wing. Students heading to the main hall or 8th grade portables will wait until the buses pull up to the end of the building near the west end of the main hall. These 2 stops limit the amount of foot traffic through the bus zone. 7th graders will no longer use Willow to access the main hall. All foot traffic will occur behind the building.
Encore, Encore!
What about the gym? All Encore classes, except for Teen Living, will finally be housed in the new Encore wing, but the gymnasium will not be available yet. We’re looking at November as a move in date for our athletes and classes and eagerly anticipate an Open House Celebration to show off the gym’s remodel. It will be worth the wait!
What’s Happening Now?
If you drive around back, you will notice footings in place for walls and 2 columns that will eventually support a retractable gym door. Also, the foundation has been poured for the future main office. These dramatic changes, as well as the enthusiasm of our students, make us eager to watch as progress continues.
BOBCATS: Under Construction!
Volume 2, Number 6
We are committed to keeping your children safe and keeping families informed about the progress of construction work at Sumner Middle School.
Keeping it Safe
Kids are doing a great job using our three crosswalks for drop off and pick up on Willow. Let’s ensure their safety by having them exit your vehicle on the sidewalk side of the street. Also, we need to be sure car speeds are kept low in this area. It’s all about our kids’ safety!
The Sweet Sound of Construction
October 8 is a big day for SMS. The contractors are taking advantage of a whole day without students and staff in the building are working on final touches in the band and choir rooms. Our lunch rooms are getting sound absorbing panels, and our main office hallway is narrowing slightly to accommodate construction in what will be our new enclosed common area.
The Next Big Move
On Monday, October 18, the computer labs and PE locker rooms will be open in the new Encore wing. The former locker rooms will transform into classrooms for Ms. Walter and Mr. Brown. This means all 8th grade classrooms will be located in the 8th grade portable zone and all Encore classes will be in the new Encore wing. The administrative and safety teams are crafting new routes and supervision areas to accommodate more foot traffic to the Encore wing and 8th grade zone. Beginning that week October 18, the former 8th grade hallway will be shut down for construction.
BOBCATS: Under Construction!
Volume 2, Number 5
We are committed to keeping your children safe and keeping families informed about the progress of construction work at Sumner Middle School.
Lunch Time
We now have four lunch rooms for our Bobcats to choose from. Each “cafeteria” has its own supervisors and students are learning the routines and expectations for each room. Since our students do not have courtyard to spend time in, we encourage them to bring easily-to-carry games such as Uno to play after they are finished eating.
We’re Making Progress
The footprints of the future 7th grade wing and front office are emerging out of the demolition. These areas can be seen thorough the fencing near the 7th grade zone. Students are amazed at the changes that seem to be happening over night. We are enthusiastically reminding them they are experiencing real life math and language arts being used by our hard-working construction crews every day.
We’re Continuing to Build Our ASB Resources
Just because we’re under construction doesn’t mean we stop providing enriching and fun activities for our kids! Sumner Middle School offers afterschool sports and clubs for students throughout the entire year. These activities cost money and that is where ASB comes in. By supporting our ASB fundraiser, you are supporting all sports teams and clubs… and kids! The next fundraiser deadline is Wednesday, October 6. Please support our ASB.
Willow Street
Students are doing a great job using the crosswalks and walking their bikes on Willow Street. This street is the main thoroughfare for both Maple Lawn and Sumner Middle Schools, so please drive slowly. Safety for students is our priority!
Our Newest Bobcat
To meet the safety needs of our students, we are pleased to introduce Campus Safety Officer, Mr. Ben Striplin. Mr. Striplin has been with us since the first day of school and has been working hard getting to know the students and anticipating their needs. He can be seen on Willow before and after school, as well as in the halls and cafeteria #4 during the day. Campus Safety Officer Tony Martin has partnered with Mr. Striplin and is dedicated to creating the safest learning environment for our Bobcats. Welcome, Mr. Striplin!
BOBCATS: Under Construction!
Volume 2, Number 4
We are committed to keeping your children safe and keeping families informed about the progress of construction work at Sumner Middle School.
Backpacks
Teacher teams are helping support students and families keep the backpacks from getting overloaded. Solutions include keeping items not yet needed at home, storing materials in the classrooms, and housing athletic equipment in a storage shed.
Crossing Guards on Willow Street
The crossing guard vests and flags are on the way! Students still need to look for a staff person to stop traffic before crossing Willow. There are crosswalks at Guptil and at our driveway, as well as an added crosswalk behind the 8th grade portables leading students to the tennis courts. Drivers, please be aware of the staff and students who are crossing Willow. As it gets dark, these staff members will carry flashlights to make themselves, and their Bobcats, even more visible.
Parking
Please be aware that the yellow curbing are “no parking” areas. Also, buses need to have full access to the back of the school between 7:15-7:30 a.m. and 2:15-2:30 p.m. Please park in our upper lot during these times.
Pick Up/Drop Off
Sixth Grader Students During the School Day
To make pick up and drop off of our 6th graders easy, we have created the following helpful schedule:
- Pick-up or drop off at Maple Lawn Elementary during the hours of 7:20 - 9:30 a.m.
- Pick up or drop off at Sumner Middle School during the hours of 9:30 a.m. – 12:14 p.m.
- Pick up or drop off at Maple Lawn Elementary during the hours of 12:14 – 2:20 p.m.
**Intervention classes are held at MLE from 9:30 – 10:33 a.m. (3rd period) and 11:10a.m. -12:14 p.m. (4th period)
Please go to the main office to sign the student in and out; office phone numbers are 253.891.5000 (Sumner Middle School) and 253.891.4400 (Maple Lawn).
Preparing for Rain
As the weather changes, we want to encourage students to dress appropriately for outdoor walking. Please be sure your child has an umbrella or a hooded coat. We are maintaining pathways with additional gravel as needed.
Opening of the Encore Wing
Our artists and musicians are off to a great start in their new classrooms! Ms. Hunt, Ms. Winn and Mr. Gallagher still have a lot of unpacking to do, but are enthusiastically and busily taking advantage of all the modern features each room offers. Ms. Hunt loves the natural light and looks forward to being able to work with kids outside on her art patio. Ms. Winn and Mr. Gallagher can’t wait for the acoustic tiles to be installed so they show off their students’ fabulous sound. Families will be invited to visit the new Encore Wing during a family night after the computer labs and gymnasium is completed.
BOBCATS: Under Construction!
Volume 2 , Number 3
We are committed to keeping your children safe and keeping families informed about the progress of construction work at Sumner Middle School.
ENCORE! ENCORE!
We’ve been excitedly preparing for the September 20 opening of our band, choir, and art rooms in the new Encore wing. Our student artists and musicians will enjoy expansive windows and a convenient storage room for instruments. Students will access this wing either from the door located near the 7th/8th grade bus loop or from the new staircase located behind the 7th grade zone based on the directions of their escorts. P.E. and computer classes will remain in their current locations until October. Teen Living will remain in the current room for the remainder of the year.
Crossing Guards on Willow Street
Look for SMS staff to safely cross students across Willow for drop-off and pick up. Students are to look for staff with crossing flags at the main driveway entrance and near the 7th grade entrance. Please instruct your child to wait for these staff members to stop traffic before stepping into the street. Drivers, please be aware of the staff and students who are crossing Willow Street. As the mornings get darker, staff members will carry flashlights to make themselves, and their Bobcats, even more visible.
Pick Up/Drop Off 6th Graders During the School Day
To make pick up and drop off of 6th grader students easy, we have created the following helpful schedule:
Pick-up or drop off at Maple Lawn during the hours of 7:20 - 9:30 a.m.
Pick up or drop off at SMS during the hours of 9:30 a.m. – 12:14 p.m.
Pick up or drop off at Maple Lawn during the hours of 12:14 – 2:20 p.m.
**Intervention classes are held at MLE from 9:30 – 10:33 a.m. (3rd period) and 11:10 a.m. -12:14 p.m. (4th period)
Please go to the main office to sign your child in and out. The phone numbers for each school office are SMS 891-5000 and Maple Lawn 891-4422.
Fundraiser
Our ASB officers are thinking of things the new building will need to help our Bobcats enjoy a variety of experiences at SMS. To make their wish list come to life, we want to run the most successful fundraiser ever. Bobcats will be carrying home fundraiser information on Wednesday. Stay tuned for more details.
BOBCATS: Under Construction!
Volume 2 , Number 2
We are committed to keeping your children safe and keeping families informed about the progress of construction work at Sumner Middle School.
First Week of School Recap
Like every first week of school at each of our schools – this past week has been an exciting one for staff, students and families. We have welcomed a new 6th grade class with a special day of orientation to middle school, and our 7th and 8th grade students are getting reacquainted with our campus and their new class schedules. Like all schools, this can be a hectic time as we all get adjusted to the new school year, a new teacher or to a new school.
We appreciate your patience this week as we learned how to navigate a school under construction with new load and unload zones for parents, new bus lanes, temporary offices, new parking, and new entrances. Each day has gone a little smoother as we make adjustments to school operations and problem-solve some of the logistics involved in getting around campus safely. Already this week we opted to open a special path earlier than planned between Sumner Middle and Maple Lawn so students could move more easily between campuses.
We will continue to address any issues related to construction on campus with a promise to find solutions that ensure the best learning environment for your child.
Safety & Security
This year we have two Deans of Students, Ms. Jill Soholt and Ms. Tricia Gibson, who are working together on assisting students and families during construction. Prior to the opening of school this year their work included developing the temporary signage package, providing maps and instructions for student entrances, parent load/unload, visitor parking and other logistical concerns. Ms. Soholt and Ms. Gibson along with two paraeducators and Mr. Tony Martin, our campus safety officer, supervise students as they move between buildings, during lunch and before and after school. This team is also monitoring the use of temporary restroom facilities. They have portable radios to communicate with the office staff, principal, assistant principal and one another at all times. There are additional staff members throughout the day to assist during arrival and dismissal times with bus loading, pedestrian safety and traffic.
Construction Workers on Campus
Our general contractor Berschauer Philips has established several work site rules to keep students safe. Construction fencing helps to clearly define and separate work areas and school areas. All construction workers have designated uniforms and badges so that students, staff and visitors can easily identify them as authorized workers. Construction workers have their own restrooms, construction office and parking areas that are not accessible to students. No workers will be inside the fenced area designated as a school area unless the work was previously arranged.
Project Update
The summer construction schedule was an ambitious one – with a goal to complete necessary demolition and to modernize the encore wing (computer lab, band, art and choir rooms) and gyms to be ready for the start of school. Temporary offices were created and additional portable classrooms were placed on the Maple Lawn campus. The new bus zone was paved and temporary paths between classrooms were completed.
Some of the work progressed slower than planned due to early summer rains. This has delayed the opening of the new encore wing by two weeks. A temporary encore wing is located on west side of the upper level of the school. The blue tarps on the roof are in place on a short-term basis to ensure the roofing work that was started over the summer remains dry. No further work on the roof will be done while students are still occupying this area.
The temporary encore wing includes two classrooms that are equipped with computers on wheels so our students have an operating computer lab as well as continued instruction in music and art. We anticipate moving into the band, art and choir rooms during the week of September 20. The new computer lab and locker rooms will be ready approximately two weeks later. The gyms will be finished in mid-October. In the meantime students are using outdoor spaces for PE classes and alternate spaces indoors as needed. When the new encore wing opens, the temporary wing will be closed to students and construction will resume. This will be the new 7th grade wing, which will open sometime during second trimester.
Coming Up
At this week’s construction meeting we identified several items for immediate attention:
• Upgrading exterior lighting and adding some floodlights
• Installation of light poles in the new staff parking lot and athletic storage building
• New water stations for the 100 and 200 hallways
Thank you for helping to …
• Remind your child to wear sturdy shoes to school
• Bring a coat or jacket
• Review the use of crosswalks on Willow Street
• Reduce car traffic making walking and biking to school safer, and
• Encouraging your child to ride a bus to school!
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