Visitors love how open our hallways and classrooms are to natural light. The quadrangle hallways and first, second and third grade classrooms all had original 1963 windows, which were not insulated and made the areas very hot in the afternoon sun or very cold at other times. Last summer, we replaced all the windows, floor to ceiling in these areas, with a more efficient and sustainable glass called Solarban 60 by Vitro Architectural Glass.
This glass blocks 66% of the total solar energy and allows 70% of the visible light to pass through, according to the company. This glass provides excellent insulation throughout the year, meaning we will pay less to cool the building in warm months and less to heat it in the colder months.
Our plans this summer include replacing all the windows in the 1987 wing, which houses fifth and fourth grade classrooms, the technology lab and science room. New glass in this area will make a huge difference in energy cost-savings and in the learning environment surrounding our children every day.
Last summer, we also replaced the original tile flooring of the quadrangle with a new generation of resilient flooring from Shaw Industries. This flooring platform is manufactured with canola, castor and rapeseed oils—all rapidly renewable, commonly occurring bio-based materials that are PVC free as well as free of ortho-phthalates, chlorine and solvents, according to the company. It is durable and scratch resistant and resistant to degradation from UV light, hand sanitizers, disinfectants and common stains.
The floor requires no finishing, waxing, buffing or stripping, making it a low maintenance choice. Slip resistance, good acoustics and under-foot comfort for ergonomic relief are other reasons we chose the flooring.
This flooring was installed through the first, second and third grade and entry hallways. We plan to extend this flooring to the hallways outside fourth and fifth grades, science, and technology. Help us make this happen by contributing to the Building a Bright Future Capital Campaign! Click here to join us.
