Gearing up for a new school year

In just a few more days youngsters all over Georgia will be heading back to school

We wanted to know what they can expect when they arrive at the schools in Gainesville and Hall County, so, we put a few questions to county spokesman Stan Lewis and the spokeswoman for Gainesville schools, Lizzet Flores.

COUNTY SCHOOLS:

NEW SCHOOLS:

Sandra Deal on schedule to open on time? Yes, as a matter of fact, we held some summer school classes there this summer.

MAJOR REPAIRS/RENOVATIONS/ADDITIONS, ETC.:?

CHICOPEE WOODS ES

  • LEARNING COMMONS
  • short description of project and features: Renovation of Media Center to Learning Commons
  • Complete renovation of current area to include new walls, paint, flooring ceilings, LED lighting
  • New shelving, furnishings and technology
  • completion date: FALL 2024
  • CLINIC MODULAR
  • short description of project and features: MEDLINK ON-SITE CLINIC PRIMARILY FOR STUDENT USE.  PROJECT CONSISTS OF INSTALLING NEW 2,300 SF MODULAR BUILDING, SIDEWALKS, SITE PREP, ETC.
  • SARDIS ES, WEST HALL MS & WEST HALL HS
  • PAVING IMPROVEMENTS
  • short description of project and features: REPAVE PARKING AND DRIVES, RESTRIPE
  • East Hall High School Major Renovations: classrooms, buildings, etc., office space, learning commons

        Completion date Fall 2024

LYMAN HALL ES ADDITIONS AND RENOVATIONS

  • New 35,673 sf 2-story building, to include new Learning Commons and 20 classrooms with support spaces
  • Site improvements, including parking revisions and car rider canopies
  • Renovations to expand cafeteria into “former” media center

ADDITION TO LANIER COLLEGE AND CAREER ACADEMY: IVESTER CAREER READY CENTER

  • 4,675 sf addition to main building consisting of 3 Labs
    • Auto Collision Lab
    • Digital Media Production Lab
    • Industrial Electrician Lab

OTHER ITEMS OF NOTE?

After months of research and consultation with literacy experts across the state, the HCSD has selected Benchmark Workshop as the core literacy program.  Benchmark Workshop is a core reading program reflective of the components of structured literacy as outlined in the Georgia Early Literacy Act (HB 538). More Information Here: https://shorturl.at/n402x  Our elementary staff will undergo some high level training in order to implement.

The Meat Science center at the agribusiness center is completed and has been approved by the state. It is the only one like it in any school district in the nation. We would be happy to give you a tour some time. Through this facility and the entire agribusiness center, we continue to expose our students to the many careers available in agriculture, a crucial sector of our county’s and state’s economy.

ANY DECISIONS YET ON WHAT TO DO WITH THE RIVERBEND AND WHITE SULPHUR PROPERTIES?

No Decision yet on these properties/facilities. (EDITOR’S NOTE: Those schools were closed at the end of the last school year and consolidated to create the new Sandra Deal school.)

ESTIMATED ENROLLMENT?  As of July 17, enrollment was 26,716

CITY SCHOOLS:

MAJOR REPAIRS/RENOVATIONS/ADDITIONS/NEW FACILITIES, ETC.:?   

With all of the capital projects completed at GMS West and the Gainesville High School Campus over the last few years, this summer was less hectic.  An additional project, utilizing excess ESPLOST funds include the renovation to the Gym of 36 where Horizon Academy will be serving students as well as a portion of the district office.  The building will be known as Horizon Academy and GCSS Downtown Office.  Excess funds also led to the renovation of the bleachers, press box, and surrounding area at City Park.

ESTIMATED ENROLLMENT?

Including Pre-K (480), anticipating 8,350 students.

OTHER ITEMS OF NOTE:

More than 500 students taking Advanced Placement Courses, more than 300 students participating in Dual Enrollment, and close to 300 students participating in Work-based Learning

Gym of ’36: Estimated completion date in early August.  Opening date TBD.
City Park: Will be completed by the first home game, September 20.

(EDITOR’S NOTE: For back-to-school information on private schools in Hall County and all schools in adjacent counties, go to school or school system’s individual websites.)