One Month's Time!

It has been a pretty exciting month around the new building site. In about four-week’s time, the site went from a flat slab foundation to a great structure that’s close to being dried in! You probably noticed that the walls and roof arrived in pre-fabricated panels – called SIPs – Structural Insulated Panels. These panels are highly energy efficient and pretty resource efficient compared to “stick-framed” buildings. They really went together pretty quickly too once they arrived. So, now the building is being roofed, windows and doors should arrive this week and siding has begun.

On the interior, wiring is almost completed and the HVAC system is beginning to be installed. The big rectangular parapet in the center of the building will house the roof-mounted heating, cooling and air exchange system. This system will be really energy efficient and filter and circulate fresh, clean air into the building. Studies have shown that well ventilated classrooms significantly improve children’s abilities to learn well. We will also be using low-VOC paints and as many healthy finish products as possible to keep off-gassing to a minimum in the building. If you haven’t taken a peak at the cool tree that was added into the front entry, peak your head in! It came from a sustainable forester in town – and was stored on near the parking lot for almost a year. Thanks to Jake Terzo and Ice Rogers for their work to help it transform into what will be a magical centerpiece for the school.

There are still many opportunities to participate in the finish selections for the building. Anyone with talent, resources or just plain interest in participating should contact Erin Yonce, Mark Wilson, or Janet Harrison. We would love to have some more special elements added to the building that make the space unique and special to our kids and the members of the community. Art and natural elements that are inspiring and fun are encouraged – bring us your ideas!

I also want to really thank all of our families for being so accommodating of the construction – we know it can be a bit of a hassle, but the end result will be worth it – and I think the kids have enjoyed watching the progress! Stay tuned for another fun month of progress – it’s an exciting time to be at Clark Fork School.