IN South Fayette Winter 2017 | Page 62

High School Rededication The South Fayette High School Additions and Alterations Project was 18 months in the making, and now students, parents, administrators, and residents are celebrating the completion of the new high school. Hundreds gathered for a rededication ceremony in the high school Theatre on Saturday, September 9, for a rededication ceremony. Afterwards, a ribbon cutting took place at the entrance of the Innovation Hub, a new area of the school which includes the Media Studio, chemistry and physics labs, and the MIT-certified Fab Lab, which features state-of-the-art technology such as four 3D printers and a laser engraver. The space will enable students to design new 60 South Fayette innovations through computer coding and engineering. “This is not just space. This is a new educational opportunity for students to create and innovate,” said School Board President Len Fornella. The high school addition also includes a newly redesigned library with additional classroom space and a Maker Space, which is an area specifically for students to create projects that illustrate and further enhance their understanding of traditional lessons and complex concepts. Two Kiva classrooms feature circular seating with idea boards and space designed to foster collaboration. The additional space includes a larger cafeteria and new common areas for students that feature courtyards with plenty of natural lighting. New charging stations have also been placed throughout the school where students can plug in their laptop computers and other devices. “A lot of districts will build spaces and then figure out how to utilize it. I want the public to know we were very thoughtful about our curriculum as we designed these new spaces,” said Superintendent Dr. Bille Rondinelli. “These spaces will also enable us to develop new projects and new ways to assess student learning,” added Associate Principal Laura Hartzell. The original high school building was constructed in 2002 and was designed to accommodate approximately 800 students. With the new addition, the high school can now easily accommodate 1,500 students, with room for reconfiguration and potential growth beyond projected future enrollment totals. “This renovation was driven by growth due to our increased enrollment, but we