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Robinwood Lane Elementary has new look
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Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem .Third-grader Kanniese Chen carefully placed his school supplies in his new desk Sept. 1 during his classroom orientation. He will be learning in one of Robinwood Lane Elementary's new classrooms.
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Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem .In addition to the new wing of classrooms at Robinwood Lane Elementary, a courtyard was built for students and faculty members' enjoyment. The courtyard has two entrances and is secured in the center of the school.
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Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem .First-grader Owen Wine won't be in one of Robinwood Lane's new classrooms, but it gives him something to look forward to as he excels in grade levels. Parents and students were invited to tour the new school area Sept. 1 during the school's classroom orientation.
By SHAIYLA HAKEEM
The main corridor of Robinwood Lane Elementary is now a pathway leading to the school’s newest academic learning facilities.
“I have been a part of building programs in three different school districts and this was by far the easiest one I have been through. Everything turned out terrific,” said Principal Don Robinson.
Spanning more than 14,000 square feet, the new wing to the school encompasses nine full classrooms and a courtyard with picnic tables and shade umbrellas. The nine rooms are sectioned off, making three third-grade classrooms, three special education classrooms, an art room, music room and limited English proficiently (LED) classroom.
The LED program is used to teach students who have learned English as a second language. Robinwood Lane is responsible for teaching students from the entire Boardman school system which this year, includes 55 students.
In addition to the new classrooms and courtyard, the school has extended its parking lot with 50 new spaces.
Building efforts for the extension began in late July 2009 and were completed this July. The last addition to the school was made nine years ago when a library and computer lab were built. Prior to that, the only changes or additions made to the school were the implementation of portable classrooms. Plans for extending the school have been set for years, but funding issues proved to be problematic.
“The school tried to get a bond issue passed four or five years ago, but the community couldn’t support it at the time,” said Robinson.
Low interest loans from the state recently became available and Robinwood Lane was eligible to be a recipient for the funds.
Robinson is pleased with the current additions, but said he would have liked for the school to have also built a new gymnasium since the current area serves as a cafeteria, auditorium and gymnasium.
“We tried to do it this time and we decided the academic areas were the ones we had to put first and that was what we did,” Robinson said.