CLARKSBURG, Mass. — The elementary school will host a visioning session next week to gain input from teachers, administrators and parents to better inform the plans for a new school.

 

Principal Tara Barnes told the School Committee Thursday that an architect and education consultant will visit the school Nov. 9 to gather information about what teachers, administrators and parents want from the new building.

 

"It is going to be all day, and they are going to meet with a small group and then the entire staff at the end of the day," Barnes said. "It should be great."

 

She added that they will get teachers up to speed on what a new building can offer.

 

"They will also update them on 21st-century learning styles that connect to buildings and space and what do we want to see in the building 40 years from now," she said. 

 

Also in regards to the school renovation project, Superintendent Jonathan Lev said the Massachusetts School Building Authority has approved the school’s architect contract, which he should receive Monday. 

 

"Even though it hasn’t been signed sealed and delivered Margo Jones has been working right along," he said. "Things are beginning and moving right along." 

 

In other business, Barnes unveiled the new school website that is easier to use and has more information. 

 

"I didn’t really like our old website. I suffered through it last year and knew that I wanted it to change so I have been thinking about it for a long time," she said. "We have to look a little more 21st century."

 

Barnes said there will be a school drop off lock down drill Nov. 16 so students can experience a lock down before the school day starts.  

 

"A lot of these safety breaches happen during drop off and pick up and those aren’t really the times you have safety drills," she said. "So this a good time for use toe practice while kids are milling around in the hallways and coming in."