Cheryl Fisher on sun 3 jan 99
I will throw this out to the group for those of you that teach in public
schools (or private for that matter) maybe you can give me some backup.
We are finally building a new elementary school. I have been at this
school 26+ years, out of 29 years of teaching. We are in the process,
the architects of designing the school. They are going back to two
stories now, rather than wings. The rough layout for art and music room
originally had the art and music rooms with the storage, etc. on the
outside walls. The first plan they came up with now has the music room
on the first floor, next to the media center and the cafeteria. They
have put the art room upstairs, with no windows.
It would be easy for me to not argue this at school, since when they
finish I will be retired or just retiring, so I will not get to use the
room. But the people after me will have to live with it. I have the
National Art Education Design Standards which call for certain things,
but the room will be smaller than what they call for, and the room will
even be smaller than a school they are building right now.
Logically, I know the following reasons for not having it upstairs:
All students need access to the art room, including wheel chair,
kindergarten.
The art and music rooms should be together for teaming (musicals,
plays, etc.)
The art room should be near the stage for the same reason.
The art room should be downstairs with access to the outside for
outdoor projects.
Displays that will be seen will be downstairs.
Equipment and supplies are more than normal (classroom teachers)
so downstairs would facilitate deliveries.
Art room should have windows because visual and color is important
(natural light).
Can anyone who is interested give me more backup?
Cheryl F.
cafish@gte.net
Sarasota, FL
| |
|
