Theodore Roosevelt School recently completed a major building addition, made possible by a generous bond passed by the Oyster Bay-East Norwich community, that significantly enhances both its learning environment and services. The new addition, which includes eight large classrooms and four smaller office/classroom spaces, provides students and staff with modern, spacious areas designed to meet diverse educational needs.
The two-story addition features four large classrooms on each floor, with all rooms equipped with their own bathrooms, offering convenience and privacy for students. This expansion has also allowed the school to introduce two full-day pre-K classes, a valuable addition for the youngest learners. The pre-K classrooms even have their own dedicated entrance for easy and secure pickup and drop-off.
“We used to have a half-day prekindergarten program” Principal Devra Small said. “Our surveys showed that many parents would prefer full-day prekindergarten. The new construction, paid for through the bond, gave us the space to provide this option for two classes of 18 students each. Then, we applied for and won the Statewide Universal Full-Day Prekindergarten (SUFDPK) Expansion Grant. This grant enabled us to purchase all the books and supplies needed to equip the classes with all that they need.”
In addition to the new classrooms, the expansion includes four smaller rooms that will be used for specialized services such as speech therapy and behavioral support. These new spaces provide a more comfortable and functional setting for both students and staff.
The addition has also benefited other areas of the school. Classrooms that were vacated by those moving into the new wing have been repurposed, allowing support services like reading, occupational therapy, and physical therapy to move into more spacious and suitable rooms. Previously, these services were offered in cramped, less-than-ideal spaces, but now they have the room they need to operate more effectively.
“Our school provides a full range of support services to meet our students' learning needs,” Ms. Small said. “Last year, there was not enough space, and some services, such as physical therapy or reading intervention, were delivered in locations such as the stage or a repurposed custodial closet. This year, with our increased space, all services are taking place in good-sized classrooms that are designed for instruction. I am so grateful to the community and Board for making this possible through the bond.”
The new classrooms are bright and airy, featuring large windows that flood the spaces with natural light. One classroom even boasts a scenic water view, providing a calming and inspiring backdrop for learning.
This expansion has not only improved the learning environment for current students but also provides room for future growth at Theodore Roosevelt School. The larger, more versatile spaces will support a variety of learning experiences and allow for a more enriched educational environment.
Theodore Roosevelt School is thrilled to offer these new spaces to students and staff, reinforcing the school’s commitment to providing top-quality education in a setting that supports both academic and personal growth.
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Date Added: 9/18/2024