Tuesday, Jul. 08, 2008

Woodland prepares for first year

The latest projection Principal Stacy Shipley has heard is that about 408 students will walk through the new doors of Woodland Elementary School on its first day of school.

“It’s been an amazing process to work through the steps to create a school and school environment,” Shipley said. “There has been a lot of behind-the-scenes work.”

Construction on the Olathe school district’s 33rd elementary school is “right on schedule to finish before August,” district construction manager Greg Thomason said.

Weather has caused problems for landscapers, he said.

“It may not look finished, but it will be open for school,” Thomason said. “We may be watering sod on the first day of school.”

Woodland’s floor plan is similar to that of Madison Place Elementary School, which opened in 2007. It has different interior and exterior colors, though, Thomason said.

With Woodland and other new and future elementary schools, the district designed more flexible space and small spaces for special programs, Thomason said. Special classrooms are at the core, and other classroom pods surround them.

The 34th elementary school, Forest View, is under construction at 127th Street and Hedge Lane, and it will be built with the same design. That school is scheduled to open in 2009.

The school that opened before Madison Place, Ravenwood Elementary School, was built with three or four classroom pods around a central corridor — a change that was necessary because of the land the building is on, Thomason said.

Woodland has most of its furniture, and this week staff members have moved textbooks and educational materials into classrooms. Shipley met every day in June with new faculty members to discuss schedules, school calendar and student programs. Woodland will welcome a staff of about 50.

“We’re all very excited to get to know students and make it a smooth transition for students and parents,” Shipley said. “That’s our No. 1 goal.”

Shipley said teachers have worked to start a wellness program within the school. It’s a way for parents and students to gain knowledge about being healthy.

Staff members also have worked on a “positive behavioral support plan,” Shipley said.

“It will help us set up an expectation throughout the building,” Shipley said.

Students who attend Woodland will come from Washington and Meadow Lane elementary schools.

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