School: New campus for Ferndale High

Continued from C21 teacher cohort.

“It’s like moving in with a couple of roommates,” Dhillon said, explaining the transition to this new style of teaching. “[We] want to make sure everybody feels respected and their space is respected … it was organized and designed and communicated from the beginning. So everybody knew who they would be sharing a space with.”

Dhillon explained styles of teaching are changing from the historic model of a teacher being in the same room all day, allowing a room to go through periods where it is completely empty. The idea is to be “utilizing the space 100 percent, instead of having so much empty space.”

Culinary Arts Instructor, Sharon Dyches, is especially excited about the new space she and her students have already been able to step into. When you see her new room, and you hear about the old space she was working with, it’s easy to un-

A look inside one of the classrooms that teachers have already started to decorate and make their own after moving in on Jan. 3. Students were welcomed into the building on Jan. 4. (Sarah McCauley/ Ferndale Record) derstand why.

“I love it. It’s beautiful,” Dyches said about the new culinary arts room.

It comes to her complete with industry-standard ovens, vents, and various other equipment the students are likely to encounter if they pursue a professional culinary career. This is one of the goals of the new school that will be complete with a career and technical education (CTE) wing: to set students up for success if they choose to go down one of these career paths.

“Now they’re gonna be pampered.” Dyches said, laughing before pausing and changing her mind. “It’s not pampering, it’s setting them up for success. Now they all will know how to work equipment in their workplaces moving forward.”

Construction on the new CTE wing that will house the rest of these technical programs is currently underway and expected to be completed by fall, but the new agricultural science wing recently opened up and is already being used by students, according to Dominguez.

“We have a strong Career and Technical Education department with over 49 unique classes offered,” Dominguez said. “These classes teach students the skills they need to be successful in a multitude of post-graduation careers, from woodworking to culinary arts to veterinary science.”

Students see the construction of this new CTE wing every day as they go about classes in the still-expanding new campus. Both Dominguez and Dhillon said it has been exciting to watch as students and staff explore the new building. And Dyches echoed their excitement, saying how much she enjoys being in the new space.

“We’re part of this historic thing,” Dyches said. “Old Main has been here since the beginning of time.”

The community can look forward to an open house next month plus a ribbon cutting ceremony upon completion of the project in the fall, according to Dominguez.

“We are looking forward to sharing this new space with our community,” Dominguez said. “On behalf of our district, we would like to thank the voters for this extraordinary gift of a building and seeing the value in investing in our children and staff.”

-- Contact Sarah McCauley at sarah@ lyndentribune.com.

Seating spaces are scattered throughout the new campus to utilize spaces outside of the classroom and promote collaboration. (Sarah McCauley/Ferndale Record)