First, second and third grade teachers packed up their belongings and cleared out their classrooms as workers of all sorts descended upon the school at the end of May to begin the most extensive renovation project in the history of The Bright School.
As a result of raising $2 million of the $4 million, three-phase Building a Bright Future capital campaign, the school was able to start and complete the first phase of renovations to the original 1963 building over the summer. The campaign includes updating the infrastructure, replacing all the windows and completely remodeling the first, second and third grade classrooms around the original quadrangle. Over the next two summers, the fourth and fifth grade classrooms of the wing built in 1987 will be renovated, and then the library, gym and special area classrooms will be updated.
When the public phase of the campaign launched in April, Head of School O.J. Morgan made clear the purpose of the renovation. “Making sure our school is the best place to educate children,” he said, “Creating wonderful, fabulous places of learning where our teachers and children will flourish and thrive like they always have at Bright School.”
Indeed, little has changed since students and teachers moved into the current school in North Chattanooga in spring 1963. Over the last five decades, while the school’s teaching and curriculum kept up or moved ahead of the times, the infrastructure and basic layout of the classrooms and learning spaces did not.
“This school is our home. This is where children come every day to learn about themselves, the world and each other. We need to take care of that home,” Mr. Morgan said.
Too hot or too cold were the classrooms and hallways. Inefficient were the HVAC system and windows. With a new classroom design, teachers will have flexibility to innovate as they teach. The Bright School has moved far away from rows of desks and teachers standing at the front of the classroom. This renovation is a boost to the people who interact with students every day.
“What makes Bright School so special and successful in educating the whole child are our teachers and our classrooms,” said Board of Trustees Chair Austin Center ’85. “Our teachers truly make a difference in our children’s education.”
From the beginning, trustees Chris Curtis and Helge Nestler have been working on the plans for these renovations. JC Curtis Construction is the contractor for the project, and Nestler has been focused on the engineering and energy efficiency improvements. Curtis is the father of Caroline ’19 and Catherine, a fourth grader. Nestler’s three daughters – Gesa ’13, Greetja ’16, and Beke ’17 – graduated from Bright.
Two firms with connections to Bright are in charge of the design work: Franklin Architects, headed by Bob Franklin ’72, and Neuhoff Taylor Architects, led by partner Pat Neuhoff, whose children Megan ’01 and Daniel ’05 graduated from Bright. This is a special project for all involved, especially those who know the school. “As an architect, I am passionate about providing the best possible environment for students to achieve success. The classroom renovation program at Bright School will provide a more temperate climate using less energy year round,” Pat Neuhoff said. Assistant Head of School Renee’ Kropff is leading the project for the school.
Several current parents and trustees and school leaders have been gathering support for the project. Betsy Ranalli, mother of fifth grader Lucinda and first grader Evie, is chairing the campaign. The campaign committee includes Austin Center; O.J. Morgan; Director of Advancement Kim Brown; Chris Curtis; Marcus Rafiee ’74, father of Joss ’16 and fifth grader Tessa; Betsey Kates, mother of fourth grader Helen and second grader Eleanor, and Ward Davenport, father of Emma ’18, fourth grader Quinn and second grader Helen.
Teachers, students and families celebrated the completion of the first phase with a ribbon cutting on Registration Day. Fifth grader George Simpson and Mr. Morgan did the honors of cutting the ribbon, and as soon as the teachers were stationed at their doors, students burst down the hallway, running to see what their new classrooms looked like.
They were more than pleased with the new desks that roll, chairs with seat backs that rock, carpet throughout the room, new windows and shades, newly-painted walls and ceilings and big Promethean boards, which are giant touchscreens.
Third grade teacher Kendra Reasor summed up the excitement and impact: “This classroom renovation is more than just new furniture. This renovation is about revolutionizing the way teachers teach and the way students learn,” she said. “Parents, families, friends, and alums, you are the change agents. It’s because of you we can have this amazing school, which will support our twenty-first century learners. As educators, we want to thank you for supporting our campaign and making our school a one-of-a-kind learning environment and truly a home.”
Phase one is complete, and there are two more left to go. Mr. Morgan challenged teachers and students to show gratitude for these renovations by taking care of all that is new and passing it on to future students. We are reminded that the foundation of the school has been continually supported and rebuilt by each generation.
“We drink from wells that other hands have dug,” Mr. Morgan said. “We reap the benefits of the sacrifices and generosity of many others who have come before us. I’m not talking about just this year. I’m talking about 100 years ago when Miss Bright began a wonderful school, and during that time, teachers, students and alums and friends of this school made all of this possible.”
PHASE 1: Summer 2019 COMPLETED
The quadrangle’s hallways and classrooms opened in 1963.
- Update all the infrastructure connected to this area
- Renovate the first, second and third grade classrooms
- Replace all windows with more energy efficient panes and all lighting with LED and smart fixtures that turn on when the room is in use
PHASE 2: Summer 2020
The fourth and fifth grade wing opened in 1987. One fifth grade classroom was renovated as a model classroom in 2017.
- Renovate the fourth and fifth grade classrooms
- Renovate the main offices and foyer
PHASE 3: Summer 2021
The library, gym and special area classrooms are among the most loved areas of the school, but none of them have been renovated since they were built.
- Renovate the gym, which was added in 1974
- Renovate the library, named the King Room and transformed from a gym into a library in 1973
- Renovate the art, shop, Spanish and music classrooms located in the original quadrangle
