Spring is in the Air!

Spring is in the Air!

As I write this we are a week away from putting January in the rear view mirror.  Second semester has come to an end and already we are looking ahead and planning for the 2016/17 school year. 

While it may not yet feel like spring outside, inside our K-12 building we have begun work that very much resembles the feel of spring.  When I think about spring, thoughts of new life, growth, and freshness come to mind.  I bet if you ask any of our students their thoughts on our K-12 building, few if any will say the words new or fresh, and rightly so!  The last time our hallways were painted, Darwin Winke was superintendent of the school district.  The color scheme of that era resembled a time when color was not allowed in schools.  Everything done in schools was very institutionalized, the color included. 

Current HS/MS hallway is blue     Remaining hallways are parchment

 

Not only do these two colors have nothing to do with our school colors (red & white), they add to the darkness and age of our building.  We know through research that color can have a significant impact on emotion, which can ultimately influence a student’s study and work habits.  Color also helps define a room’s purpose, and I would argue we are defining the wrong purpose with our current color scheme.  Because of this, the Central Board of Directors has supported my recommendation to begin a major paint project that will “freshen” our hallways and promote our school colors.  The new paint job will also be enhanced with some new furnishings as we look to promote the use of our building.  As superintendent of Central, I love the fact that at anytime day or night I can walk through the foyer of our building and see students collaborating and working together in a safe environment. 

The news of a new look at Central unfortunately will mean the end of some of the student artwork located in the hallways, specifically located in the blue HS/MS hallway.  Central will be contacting all of the known artist and allowing them a chance to come in and take pictures of the work before the hallway painting begins.  Central will also take pictures of each of the artworks with the plan of putting everything together into a book, which will be made available to the public.

With appreciation for our school history, we must also have an appreciation for our future and the students of today.  Thank you for the many positive comments I have already received in regards to the new look in the foyer area and our high school gymnasium.  Tying our building together with our school colors I believe will enhance the culture and pride of our school district.  Enjoy the new look!