by: Sister Dominic
March 2019
Dear Families of SVDP Parish and School,
In this portion of the State of the School Report, I would like to offer high level view of facilities, security, and instructional technology
Facilities
We are stewarding a 91-year old building, which was well-built and has been well-kept. However, the plumbing and the electricity are old and comply with old standards. There are not current plans to upgrade these, but they present some limitations. For example, we could not consider adding air conditioning to the school building without major upgrades to electricity. We have a running list of facilities needs and considerations, and will continually be strategizing for their upkeep. Following are some items which should be placed on a timeline for completion, through a strategic planning process:
- The repair or replacement of the 60+ year old boiler is under serious consideration for the current calendar year.
- Cooling Options – we’ve often had questions about cooling solutions during the months of August and May. To air condition the entire school, including electrical upgrades, has a price tag of $1.7million dollars. We don’t see that as a realistic option for the 6-8 weeks in Denver that it is uncomfortable in the building. However, we are exploring other options, such as adding awnings to the east side of the building.
- Last year we began to rotate out very old carpets on the first floor, and would like to plan to do that for the second floor this summer. Schoolwide and classroom paint will also be put on a rotating schedule.
- The crack in the lower playground parking lot is widening. In 2017 we put on a short-term seal, but know that it will need a more complete resurfacing.
- We found and fixed a very long-term roof leak, thanks to our new maintenance staff! In addition, the roof that had hail damage will be repaired in the next few months, with the use of insurance money.
- The science lab is due for an upgrade in furnishings and equipment, especially as our science program is a distinguishing hallmark of the school with Robotics and the Outdoor Lab.
- We would like to replace drinking fountains with bottle filler / drinking fountains. Some of our fountains no longer have a sufficient cooling unit and nearly all of them are ready to be replaced.
- We recently learned that our upper playground equipment was installed in 2003 and is in year 16 of a 20+ lifespan. As this reaches its end of life in the coming years, we would like to replace it with something that is a functional match or superior to our current set. Our main playground set on the upper playground has excellent features and is well used.
- There are other aspects of the playground that are ready for some more immediate upgrades – some of the poles on the concrete sports area need to be removed; the basketball backboards replaced; a lower backboard added; and the swings and underneath surfacing could be upgraded to add capacity.
- We are working toward knowledge of the lifespan of the school roof to be able to plan for its replacement, when needed. This should be done through building a reserve fund for the capital improvement and deferred maintenance
Security
- The walkie talkie system has been a very effective tool for daily supervision and security situations. Our current walkie talkies are failing after 2 ½ years, and we would like to replace them with something that will be longer lasting and better quality since they are used so often and with great effect.
- We continue to staff a police officer each Thursday morning to cross the children at the crosswalk and to be in attendance at all-school Mass.
- Three faculty/administration recently attended threat assessment course in February presented by a national school security team, to analyze our current practices against any new recommendations.
- Additional details in safety protocol and school security were offered at a two parent presentations on safety this past November.
Technology Highlights
- SVDP has long invested in technology for the 21st century. This community generously supported the addition of the Robotics program for Grades K-8 at a gala several years ago. We have SmartTechnology in all of our classrooms K-8, student access to devices and software and programs that support instruction. Since we want to protect this very expensive investment in technology, we are strategizing the funding to ensure that we can replace and upgrade in a timely manner, while getting as much use out of each piece of hardware before replacing it, as is appropriate for good stewardship. The recent TechBoost Fund has helped us to get to a healthy place to enable us to plan for future years.
Outdoor Learning Lab
- As of this winter all major structures for the Outdoor Learning Lab are completed and functioning! The Lab has an underground electric and water source which enables us to run a curriculum in the greenhouse throughout the school year. The heat was turned on and is functioning as of January 2019.
- The main structures of the Lab include multiple raised beds, the storage shed, the greenhouse, and the chicken coop and run.
- The expenses of this project were published twice in the past 2 1/2 years. Anyone who would like to see a detail of these expenditures, please see Sr. Dominic.
- We have about $900 left from the $2,000 Whole Kids grant that we won last April. This money is dedicated to garden supplies, seeds, and equipment for growing and managing the garden.
Thank You’s
- We could not have maintained the Lab thus far without our great volunteer help. We had many volunteers last summer to help with gardens and chickens. We hope more will be able to volunteer this coming year!
- We are grateful to the Speicher family, new to SVDP this year. They own a garden distribution center, and have been gracious enough to donate items to help us in our greenhouse, like the grow light and timer, soil, seeds, and special nutrients.
- We would like to give a big SHOUT OUT to the Kirkegaard and Crabtree families who continue to be of assistance with the project – a sink for the greenhouse is in process.
