Paving the Bus Loop

After many weeks of hard work, our new and improved bus loop is almost ready.

View from above: Bus loop paving underway

Visitor Lot in Progress

Part of our project includes relocating the parking lot along Makefield Road for safety reasons.  The parking lot will be moved off of Makefield Road with an entrance from Roelofs Road.

Picture of curb installation for new staff/visitor parking lot

Phase 2 in Progress. . .

As our project continues, work moves forward on the classroom addition.  Gym B renovation (formerly the Boys' Gym) is also underway.

Site work continues where the addition will be built

View of where the addition will meet the existing building

View of Gym B in progress

Work continues in the Gym B locker room.

Car Loop in Action . . .

We had our first big test of the temporary car loop today.  All students reported to school today and it rained during arrivals!  Despite the rain, arrivals flowed smoothly.  With the help of security guards, crossing guards, Lower Makefield Police, teachers and administrators, students and families safely followed the new procedures. 

Students arrive in the car loop as Mr Rehm and
Mr. Wright help direct cars and students.

Revised Walking Paths

Thanks to our good friends at the Lower Makefield Police Department, we have this updated graphic which illustrates Roelofs Road walking paths for students going to any Pennsbury middle school.

View From Up Above . . .

Jamie Lynch, our project manager from D'Huy, took these aerial photos this weekend.  These photos will be part of our presentation on Tuesday, but here is a sneak peek!

View of the temporary student drop off/pick up lot.

View of the construction zone where the pool has been removed.

Lining the Loop

Our team was busy lining the temporary student drop-off/pick-up loop yesterday.  See photos below.

Two lanes of traffic: one for drop-off/pick-up
and one for through traffic.  In the background,
LMTPD Chief Ken Coluzzi and Capt. Lewis
who assisted the district with a safety review.

A view of the entrance/exit from Roelofs Road.  

Good-bye Pennwood Pool

This week major progress has been made in demolishing the unused Pennwood pool.  The pool, which has been closed since 2014, is being removed to make way for the new addition.

Removal of the Pennwood Pool in progress

View from above as pool is removed

Big News: Changes to Student Drop Off and Pick Up

In order to accommodate the improvements to the traffic flow at Pennwood, our student drop-off and pick-up procedure will change for this school year.  I realize that changing this procedure will cause many headaches for families, and your understanding is appreciated.  Even this temporary change offers a major improvement in safety for our students.

When the temporary lot is completed in August, I will invite families to preview the area.

Pool Demo Commences . . .

To make way for the addition to Pennwood, crews began work on demolishing the pool, which has been closed since 2014.

Workers begin separating the pool building from the rest of the school structure.

Moving Along . . .

We are now into the second week of the project.  The abatement of our floor tile is progressing quite nicely and ahead of schedule.  Our environmental team will be able to take on more areas of the school than we would have expected for this summer.  As the flooring abatement concludes in one hallway, the demo team follows next and removes the ceiling.

The result is not aesthetically pleasing, but necessary :).  This will be the temporary flooring until the new floor is installed.

C Hallway where asbestos floor tile has been removed.

The Day Has Arrived

Today our abatement contractor was on-site and began preparing for the abatement of asbestos floor tile in the hallways near the auditorium and Gym A (formerly the "Girls' Gym").

Abatement preparation in the C Hallway

Abatement preparation outside of the auditorium

Fall Sports WILL Continue

In the last post, I wrote about using some of our field space for the staging area.  Please know that Fall Sports will still take place at Pennwood.  We are working on modifying our field areas for our football, soccer, and field hockey teams.  We are also working on alternative spaces to store sports equipment, especially the many pieces of football equipment.  With creative scheduling among the three middle schools and some flexibility, we will be able to make it through the season.

The Show Starts in July

When the trucks roll on to campus in July, the first order of business will be to create the "staging area."  This will be the main area for construction trailers and heavy equipment as renovations begin. This area will be located behind Gym B (formerly the "Boys' Gym") where football games were held last year.

The next order of business will be to remove the ceilings and tile flooring in the hallways around the gymnasiums, auditorium and student dining room.  The pool will be demolished and work will begin on the new addition.

During the school year, Gym B will be renovated first, followed by Gym A (formerly the "Girls' Gym"), and then the auditorium.

I will update the school community as work continues!

Notice to Proceed . . .

I am happy to notify the Pennwood Community that our much needed renovation project will be underway shortly.  The district has issued a "Notice to Proceed" to our contractors.  We had our initial planning with the contractors this week.  More updates to follow!