SPRING 2019
Lessons in design for K-12
IN Session
Topics and trends for educators and administrators from LaBella’s educational design & engineering team
Spring syllabus
Resetting the Clock
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SED Launches New Timetables for Mandated Building Survey Webster Central School District’s Library Patrons Borrow Inspiration
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LaBella Honored With Hilton’s “Friend of Education” Award
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Rochester City School District Adds Makerspace
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Nazareth’s Golisano Center Redefines Inclusion in Athletics
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In Session LaBella Associates |
Spring 2019
“PUBLIC OFFICE IS A PUBLIC TRUST.”
SCHOOL IS OUT OF SESSION! As our education clients focus on wrapping up their curriculum, at LaBella we’re gearing up for a summer of transformation for many of our clients. Our Spring seminar was focused on maximizing the planning opportunity that the 2020 Building Condition Survey process would bring- planning that will be put on hold for many districts under the new NYSED Building Condition Survey schedule. We've shared what we know on page 4. This delay offers an opportunity to refocus on planning our Fall seminar, where we’re looking to host another educational design innovator for a session with our staff as well as our clients. Make sure to join our mailing list at labellapc.com/ schools-in-session to be the first to hear about the Fall seminar details. We also welcome your input on topics or speakers that have piqued your interest. In our Fall issue, we’ll share results from teachers piloting the “Classroom of the Future” at Hilton Central School District, as well as additional research and testing we have underway. In the meantime, we hope you enjoy these updates and have a wonderful summer.
Judging by some of the dialogue we experienced, there are a lot of future architects and engineers coming out of Webster Schools.
In Session LaBella Associates |
Design Process
Webster CSD Library Patrons Borrow Inspiration For New Spaces As Webster prepares to renovate each of their school libraries, LaBella engaged each building’s occupants. Student participation provided a real-world learning opportunity - for the students and the designers.
Spring 2019
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library, thus creating a visual tool we could use to guide the direction of our design. Students at Thomas Middle School and Schroeder High School came to our office, while we held more guided sessions for younger students at their elementary school. Each session was broken up into smaller groups of 6-8 students who were shown a series of inspirational images depicting various libraries and public spaces. Students were asked to either like or dislike each image and briefly explain what they were reacting to in the photo. The next step was to tape the photos they liked onto a piece of foam core which would become their vision board. From there, students were asked to write down adjectives and other phrases on post-it notes that described what they liked about each image they chose. Responses included words like “colorful”, “open”, “nature” and “flexible”. The last step was to put their notes on the board near the image it pertained to and then present their boards to the rest of the participants.
As architects and engineers, our clients expect us to keep up with the latest trends and technology and offer them new ideas and fresh designs. It’s easy to design a stunning space or building with all the latest tech, especially as it becomes more affordable, but does the design also meet the needs of the client? Does the finished product function seamlessly with their dayto-day operations? Are they happy with how they feel in their new learning environment? A collaborative design process with our clients is essential to answering these questions. Typically, we engage district administrators
and school staff to find out what their criteria and expectations are, but these groups alone miss a major constituent group: students. Undeniably, they have a large stake in what their learning environment is like. As part of Webster School District’s latest round of capital improvements, LaBella has been tasked with completely renovating each library in the district. With the help of the school librarians and principals, we held a series of Project Visualization Workshops targeted at one question: “What do you want your library to be like?" The goal was to have students develop vision boards for their own
Once the workshop was complete, our task was then to study each board, identify common images and phrases, and create one final visualization board for each school. These boards were then shared back with each school and will serve as a road map, guiding our design process. Besides the project input, these workshops also had a secondary benefit: community engagement. Instead of meeting behind closed doors with administration, LaBella was able to engage with each school population on a more personal level. The Webster CSD administration are major proponents of promoting their own students and having them be active participants in their community. Spending this time upfront will help build enthusiasm for the new space and the changes it will bring.
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In Session LaBella Associates |
Spring 2019
NYSED
BCS Schedule Update The New York State Education Department is currently working on implementing new Commissioner’s Regulations regarding the Building Condition Surveys (BCS) that school districts across the state were required to complete by 2020. At present the Commission’s regulations have put a hold on BCS submittals and reimbursement. According to the State Education Department, a list of districts will be developed that will stagger the timeframe for the submittal of the BCS, and clarify a new timeline for water testing. The goal is to create an even distribution of submittals and aid reimbursement throughout a five-year period. The schedule will be developed based on the number of public school buildings, while attempting to balance activity within a geographic region. Those districts with the greatest proportion of buildings previously receiving
relatively low overall condition rates will be prioritized. In the 2020 - 2021 school years, Annual Visual Inspections (AVLs) will be required of districts that are not listed for BCS in those first two years. The last group of districts in the newly created cycle will be in the 2025 school year. For districts needing an updated BCS for capital project planning, the State Education Department has indicated that a “BCS-like study” could be completed as part of prereferendum work. If the referendum is then passed, the district can place the cost of the BCS study within an approved project’s incidental costs for reimbursement. Lead testing - which has traditionally been connected to the BCS - will now be completed separately, however, the reimbursement for the cost of the testing will function as it has in the past. Additional guidance on the testing schedule and reimbursement is forthcoming from the New York State Health Department.
reset the clock SED is proposing new timetables for Building Condition Surveys, prioritizing districts with previous low condition ratings.
Company News
LaBella Honored to Receive Hilton Friend of Education Award LaBella’s longtime partnership with Hilton CSD recognized
LaBella CEO Sergio Esteban, left, and K-12 Studio Manager Kevin Rademacher, right, with Superintendent Dr. Casey Kosiorek, center.
LaBella was honored to be recognized by the Hilton Central School District School Board as a “Friend of Education” in May. Annually, the District recognizes community members who have contributed to the district through volunteering or other efforts.
Superintendent Dr. Casey Kosiorek said, “LaBella has been instrumental in the concept, design and implementation of our Classrooms of the Future, benefiting current and future students of the Hilton Central School District. Their commitment to our students extends beyond the classrooms and facilities they design... They have been a partner in the growth and development of our district in so many areas.” LaBella and Hilton were both recognized this year on the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle’s annual list of Top Workplaces. We’re proud to share the honor and celebrate our great partnership!
In Session LaBella Associates |
Spring 2019
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NYSED
Triennial Asbestos Testing Requirements are Unchanged By now, most school districts are aware that according to the Federal Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA), “all public and non-public elementary and secondary schools (K-12) are required to complete an (a) initial inspection for asbestos and (b) a re-inspection of known and assumed asbestos at least once every three (3) years (triennial) in each building which is owned, leased, or otherwise used as a school building.” The particular year in which these Triennial Asbestos Inspections or Re-Inspections are due will vary from district to district, depending on when the Management Plan was established. For example, if the last time these updates were completed was 2016, then the re-inspections will be due this 2019 year. School districts need to prepare Management Plans to take action to prevent or reduce asbestos hazards.
WHILE DISTRICTS WAIT TO LEARN THEIR NEW BUILDING CONDITION SURVEY SCHEDULE, THEY SHOULD BE AWARE THAT LEAD IN WATER TESTING AND AHERA ASBESTOS TESTING WILL CONTINUE SEPARATELY.
LaBella Associates has been partnering with facilities staff members for many years by providing the Asbestos Management services required to be in compliance with the AHERA regulations, as well as the New York State Education Department (NYSED) requirements. By obtaining accurate information during the Triennial Asbestos Inspections or Re-Inspections, LaBella can help the school districts save a substantial amount of funds for other important projects. Knowing what materials contain asbestos is a critical part of any school district's planning and budgeting process. Initially, LaBella’s team of highly qualified asbestos consulting professionals will meet with facilities staff to understand what reporting
has been completed in the past. We understand that school districts have varying degrees of detail in their existing Triennial Asbestos Inspections or Re-Inspection documents, and therefore may require or benefit from varying levels of services; from a focused update to existing AHERA reports, to a completely new inspection in order to establish records. LaBella does not recommend “assuming” materials contain asbestos; instead, materials should be submitted for laboratory analysis in order to get a definitive answer and be able to properly plan and budget for capital improvements. Our inhouse asbestos laboratory offers immediate turnaround on results at no additional cost to our clients. Speaking of capital improvements, beyond the AHERA updates, if any asbestos-containing materials are going to be impacted in any way during renovation, or buildings are scheduled for demolition, public school districts and nonprofit schools must comply with the Asbestos National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP), as well as New York State Industrial Code Rule 56. With our architects and asbestos teams working collaboratively and using the AHERA Inspection reporting, we can help limit the overall number of samples collected, alleviating over-sampling or resampling of materials. That is, we can help save money by planning ahead. We're always happy to field any question related to AHERA regulations or asbestos in general.
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In Session LaBella Associates |
Spring 2019
Completion
LaBella Completes First Makerspace for the Rochester City School District As part of the RCSD Modernization Program, LaBella designed the first makerspace for Edison Tech High School. The space will welcome students in the Fall.
While many makerspaces include tools like 3D printers, laser cutters, sewing machines, or soldering irons, any collaborative area with room to develop creative projects can meet a variety of curriculum goals. Makerspaces allow students to explore passions, problems, and curiosities through guided inquiry, tinkering, and play. Edison Tech has many programs that will benefit from the new makerspace, including a Digital Media, Arts and Communication program, a Pathways to Technology program, a Construction, Architecture and Design program, and a Manufacturing and Engineering program.
Energy
LaBella’s Commissioning Team Tackles Over $100 Million in Capital Improvements for Albany Area Districts LaBella’s commissioning team recently closed out two CIP commissioning projects for the Queensbury Union Free School District and Schodack Central School District in the Capital District.
These projects included a comprehensive array of commissioning services, including HVAC, building automation, technology, security, and card access systems. LaBella also provided prefunctional checklists, performance testing, monitoring, close out, and facility operator training. Training has become a critical component of these services as systems become increasingly complicated and tech savvy.
Next up, the team will be tackling a $65 Million CIP for the Schenectady CSD, including major mechanical, electrical and plumbing renovations to 5 schools. New air handling units, HVAC systems, central plant equipment, lighting and building automation systems are all in the works.
Schodack CSD's Maple Elementary School's new rooftop condensing units were part of a comprehensive district-wide commissioning project.
In Session LaBella Associates |
Spring 2019
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Community
ACE Wins Program & Partner in Education Award The ACE Mentor Program of Rochester was selected as the recipient of the Program & Partner in Education Award at this year’s Career Connections Appreciation Breakfast at West Irondequoit High School. ACE has been a partner of the Career Connections Program since the Rochester chapter was established 10 years ago. This mutually beneficial partnership allows students to be made aware of opportunities in the ACE fields (Architecture, Construction, and Engineering). The ACE Mentor Program is a free after-school program for high school students interested in exploring this industry through hands-on activities in realworld settings with professionals (from LaBella and other companies). This year, classes included building metal stud framed walls, creating electrical circuits, and designing a residential home. They learned critical workplace skills like leadership, teamwork, and public speaking while designing and building 6 playhouses, all of which were donated to critically ill children. Contact us for more information on getting your students involved!
Inclusion
The Golisano Training Center is the first of its kind in the Northeast to be designed at its inception for inclusion and engagement of the special needs community.
Nazareth College’s Golisano Training Center Nears Completion Nazareth College’s Golisano Training Center, designed by LaBella, is on schedule to welcome athletes for the Fall semester! The center includes an indoor track, field, courts and training facilities and was designed not only for Nazareth’s student-athletes, but also as a training and event facility for Special Olympian athletes. Some of the features of the inclusive facility include moveable lifts in the family toilet room to allow assistance to an athlete using facilities, wider track lanes and moveable locker room benches to allow for more wheelchair maneuverability, and colors selected with sensory issues in mind. A sensory room was included that can help a participant that has become overstimulated or overheated, while also serving as a dark space for concussion protocols. With wide circulation spaces, the center will welcome athletes and spectators with a wide-range of mobility. We’re proud to advance accessibility in all forms!
This Used to Be a Gymnasium North Tonawanda Central School District’s 2015 Capital Improvement Project was focused on redistributing grade levels throughout the district. An elementary school was redeveloped for middle school students, and the middle school is now home to intermediate grades. The changes in grade levels necessitated renovations to classrooms, lockers, and existing spaces like the former gymatorium pictured here. Building additions included a music suite, and a new gymnasium with locker rooms. Traditional classrooms were also revamped into modern science and computer labs.
LEARN MORE: Visit our website for more information
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insession@labellapc.com