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West Snyder Elementary upgrades ongoing

School is first in district to utilize geothermal system

Sentinel photo by JULIANNE CAHILL
Students participate in art class Thursday afternoon at West Snyder Elementary School in Beaver Springs.

BEAVER SPRINGS — Midd-West School District is once again educating students in its Beaver Springs location.

The building, which was constructed as a high school in the 1950s, is getting a facelift — and now helping to educate the district’s youngest students.

West Snyder Elementary School is currently being renovated to bring its dated systems up to modern standards and transform its classrooms into spaces conducive to elementary-level learning. The project has been underway since summer of 2016.

Principal Erin Sheedy said some of the initial work was completed over summer break, allowing students and teachers to begin classes on time last fall.

One of the school’s most significant changes won’t be seen by many, but will be felt by all.

West Snyder is the first school in the district to be fitted with a geothermal heating, ventilating and air conditioning system. As Sheedy walked into the mechanical room, she motioned toward the clean white equipment and spoke over its low hum. She said the room originally housed a large coal furnace and backup oil burner. It was noisy and covered in dirt and coal dust.

The geothermal system operates on more than 100 ground wells that provide heat from below the earth’s surface. Geothermal energy has been utilized recently in neighboring Juniata County as well, and has proven to be a cleaner, more efficient source of energy.

Inside the school, classrooms are being updated with interactive projectors that utilize the technology of SMARTboards at half the price. Sheedy said the systems have been installed in every classroom. They project learning tools onto the wall, and a digital pen can be used to interact with the image.

District superintendent Richard Musselman said doors throughout the building will be replaced, and doorways will be widened to comply with ADA recommendations.

The school will also see new lights, ceiling tiles and casework.

An art room has been created in the former industrial arts space. Sheedy said the room was a good fit due to its natural lighting, and Musselman said the concrete floor was appropriate for a creative workspace.

The building also boasts a newly-renovated music room. Older built-in risers were demolished, allowing more space for physical activities. New acoustical panels will also be installed around the top of the room.

As of last week, construction was ongoing at the site of the new office suite, where the school principal, secretaries, guidance counselors and nurse will be located. The suite will eventually serve as the main entrance to the building, so a security vestibule will be constructed there as well.

Sheedy said renovations include the addition of gang-style restrooms near the cafeteria, as the original building lacked sufficient facilities.

The project will also close in more outside space, allowing creation of small-group instruction space and whole grade-level learning areas.

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