Classroom of the Future, Climbing Walls, Mural Coming to Barrington 220

Each year, the Barrington 220 Educational Foundation approves a list of major projects to fund.  These projects are submitted to the Foundation by District 220 administration after seeking ideas from staff.  A committee of members of the Foundation board and various community members are charged with making a recommendation for approval to the Trustees.

The approved projects for this year are:

High School Prototypical Classrooms of the Future:  The district has been in discussions with distinguished architect, Amy Yurko, owner of Brain Spaces about classroom concepts which rely on brain research, encourage learning, and provide increased flexibility for collaborative work.  These redesigned spaces would involve changes in lighting, color, furniture, texture and functionality, making the environment more invitational to learning.   

Robert Seidel, social studies teacher at Barrington High School speaks to the value of this project, “In the 21st century, the nature of work has changed.  Many professions, and colleges, have adapted their physical settings to make their employees and students more productive.  If we are to prepare our students to succeed in these settings, it is important that we adapt as well.”

Business Start-up Incubator: This year community members have brought a new and exciting curriculum to the high school business program.  Through the support of the Foundation and the district the class has made miraculous strides in formation and acceptance.  While they have received great support through direct donations, idea formation and furniture donations they are still in need of technology to outfit the classroom.  The request includes laptop computers, monitors, software, printer/scanner, and IT infrastructure. 

Early Learning Center (ELC) Mural:  As you enter the ELC building there is a 35 foot by 7 foot blank wall.  Through a partnership with the CFC, Barbara Romano, Principal, has established a relationship with a nationally known artist who resides in Barrington.  She has agreed to create a permanent and timeless mural that depicts the school’s natural surroundings….animals, natural plants and other wildlife as they progress through the 4 seasons.  The wall and its surrounding area will be viewed as a visual learning area for students, staff, families and visitors.

Library Overdrive Project:  This is the second year of support for the digital library the Barrington 220 Educational Foundation helped the district establish last year.  The first year of support included initial subscription fees and title collections.  This year they will be providing funds for each academic level for title collection expansion.

Janet Anderson, Library Information Teacher for District 220 commented on the Overdrive Project, “Our students have always been very interested in eBooks; however, with the introduction of Overdrive at District 220, there has been a paradigm shift in how we think about books, how we access books, and how we can support students with books.  Overdrive has helped create an “excitement” about books.  As we show students the Overdrive App on Nano’s, iPads, or iPhones, they see how easy it is to locate and checkout a book.”

Prairie & Station Climbing Walls:  Currently the physical education department has a climbing wall unit.  There is a student fee for an outside service to come in and install a temporary wall for the experience.  This fee pays for a 2-week unit.  The installation of permanent walls will provide a year round experience and eliminate the annual fee cost.

Some of the project funding comes from private donors.  The remaining funds are raised through special events, private donations, and the spring appeal that is currently underway.  The approved 2013-2014 budget to fully fund these projects is $132,000.  To find out ways to support the Barrington 220 Educational Foundation and these major projects, please visit www.220foundation.org.

Barrington 220 Educational Foundation is a not-for-profit, volunteer organization.  They “find the funds” for initiatives that enhance learning but are not otherwise supported by tax revenues. For more information, go to www.220foundation.org

Submitted by Barrington 220 Educational Foundation.