The new addition at Wadsworth Elementary in Griffith will give students an experience they aren’t expecting but will hopefully enjoy and thrive in.
Those fortunate enough to have classes in one of the 12 classrooms when school starts on August 19 won’t be looking for a room number, rather, their own classroom decorated in a singular color scheme. A color-coded room is just one way Griffith Public Schools are innovating around a more stimulating and emotionally supportive learning environment.
That’s especially important for Wadsworth’s kindergarten and special education students who will be the area’s primary users along with STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) classes for grades kindergarten through second.
“I’m excited that this will be the first experience students have in school,” said Superintendent of Schools Leah Dumezich. “It’s colorful, innovative and fun. Every aspect of the building’s design is all about students — from the color palette to the flooring, to every piece of furniture, it puts students at the forefront.”
In this part of the building the students can write as much as they want on the desks; pencil and ink washes right off. There’s plenty of natural light allowed to accentuate the individual classroom colors of red, yellow, blue, green, purple and orange. Classroom doors can only be accessed by a teacher with a swipe card, and each room is equipped with an interactive board along with a bathroom.
The Innovation Space will provide space for professional development activities, indoor recess and lunch. The area features whimsical outdoor theming, tiered seating, private reading nooks, enhanced technology and audio-visual capabilities.
An area is designated as a petting area for the school district’s two service dogs, who Dumezich brings to school each day. Inside the building is a tube slide as “built-in reinforcement”… and just for fun. There’s even a “lava” floor for an opportunity to express creativity.
Dedication to former teacher
The new addition is named the Trish Dodson Love of Learning Center in memory of the former Griffith teacher. A ribbon cutting ceremony to dedicate the new building is set for noon on Aug. 1, 600 N. Jay St.
“This center stands as a tribute to her unwavering commitment to fostering a love for learning in every child,” Dumezich said. “Here, students will not only gain knowledge and lifelong friendships but also discover the joy of exploration, imagination, curiosity and the spark within themselves. May this space inspire future generations of Panthers to pursue their educational journey with the same enthusiasm and passion that Trish Dodson so beautifully embodied.”
Two-Year project had bumps
Griffith school officials launched the $14 million project about two years ago, which was funded through a tax-neutral bond issue and various grants. Performance Services of Indianapolis served as the general contractor.
Early in the process, school officials began to complain that some of the town’s demands for the project were unrealistic and they were dragging out the planning approval process.
Having eventually worked out those differences, neighborhood traffic concerns were addressed through a new traffic circulation pattern, which will improve vehicular and student safety during the drop-off and pick-up process. That should reduce the amount of traffic that can potentially back up onto local streets, and more parking spots have been added to support the new building and increase parking for community events at the school.
Jim Masters is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.