We had a chance to walk the whole site on Wednesday this week. It is certainly very flat! The retaining walls are all in and the building pads are down. The whole site sits expectantly waiting for the lumber to arrive. We chose the siding and a few other materials today so the order is in and should be arriving any moment.
The county has still not issued our permit but there is only one department left to approve the plans. We will meet with them on Monday to resolve any outstanding issues and HOPEFULLY pick up our permit.
We are not at a standstill as of this day. The utilities have begun to be installed and will take a couple of weeks to finish. The materials should all arrive during that time and then we should see the buildings go up very quickly. We are really getting excited now.
On the enrollment front, this was another very, very busy week of family tours and enrollment activity. Several rooms are now completely full for the new campus. Others are very nearly there. Please write to mary@thelittleschool.net if you have any questions about enrollment.
Glimpse:
We have begun collecting the materials and furniture that will used at the Waterstone Campus. We received a wonderful gift this week in a gymnasium full of preschool materials donated from one of our dearest community partners. With the addition of these new materials there are now several large storage lockers full of STUFF and another quickly filling. It is beginning to look like more than enough to fill our 14,440 square feet.
Many have asked us who decorated the Davis Road Campus. We always laugh because we did, but it was more playing than decorating that occurred. We have in common an ability to look at a thing and see it for something other than its intended purpose. When we began to put Davis together we put all of our materials in the Preschool classroom and then one at a time decided what to do with them. In the end, there are ducks with lily pads and puddles screwed to the ramp, crystal chandeliers in the foyer, clouds and bugs as lamps, puzzle pieces make up our staff bulletin board and our most noteworthy paint effect (in the office and Toddler Room with the clouds and the writing) is the result of running out of paint and needing to fill in the holes in our first coat.
We have collected really wonderful materials again and expect that the Waterstone Campus will have the same whimsical feel as the Davis Campus. Please feel invited to share some of your decorating suggestions with us. We are always open to suggestions- especially if they involve a completely new use for an everyday item.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
Permits, Week 3
We have good news to report. We were finally able to navigate the confusion that is the permitting process. It is our understanding that our final revisions are acceptable to all involved agencies. Phew! We expect to receive our building permit sometime today or tomorrow.
This is great news as we were about to hit a stalling point on the project. As it is, we have been slowed significantly these past three weeks. According to our general contractor, they are ready to go straight into the next phase the moment the permit is in hand. Some things that you will see during this phase:
1. The retaining walls will be installed
2. The building footings will be installed for all five buildings
3. The building pads will be installed for all five buildings
4. The final site prep will be completed in preparation for framing and siding the buildings
That list should take us into July. We are, at this point anticipating a delay in our opening. We don't want to speculate at all about how long that delay will be. Our best case scenario at this point is October 1. Our VERY, VERY worst case scenario is December 1.
We are concerned about the delay at this point but remain very optimistic that we can still make an October opening. We need to remind everyone that our buildings are very simple one-story residential buildings. There are no steel girders or complex concrete layers.
Buildings just like ours are being constructed in neighborhoods all over our community and they are going up from step one to completion is fifty days. If we get our permit (as we expect to do), have drier weather (as NC usually experiences in the summertime), and have no further code-related delays (please pray for us), our buildings should be built by the end of August. Once the buildings are finished we will still need to paint, landscape and decorate (we love that part) so that we can pass day care licensing standards. Once the building is in our possession we PROMISE you all that we will work around the clock to get done as quickly as possible. In fact, we may call upon our community to help us with our final task of landscaping, painting and loading into the building. The more hands the better once we reach that phase.
Please check next week's blog for information about:
1. We are trying to secure additional classroom spaces at the Davis Road Campus to temporarily house the half-day program
2. Deposit information
*We are now enrolling the Davis Road Campus to the maximum capacity for the first time. If you are in dire straights for care in the fall we URGE you to contact Mary now at mary@thelittleschool.net so that we can work on planning for you for the fall.
Glimpse: A reassuring (we hope) glimpse into our past:
In 2005 when we decided to open the Little School we knew that we would need to more or less gut the building that is now our school. Our hope was that we would take possession of our building on July 1. In the end we took possession on August 1. We knew that we had to open on time for September 1, 2005.
We pooled our human resources and brought together a group of family, friends and even some students of Christa's and we moved into the school building. We worked from 8:00am until 2:00am many days so that we could open on time. In the end we completed plumbing, electricity, flooring, trim, new doors, alarm system installation, sod (what were we thinking!?), and painting during that month. The building was brand new when we were finished.
We were committed and we stuck with it.
We were then and we are now completely committed to doing everything that we can to bring our buildings together as quickly as possible.
This is great news as we were about to hit a stalling point on the project. As it is, we have been slowed significantly these past three weeks. According to our general contractor, they are ready to go straight into the next phase the moment the permit is in hand. Some things that you will see during this phase:
1. The retaining walls will be installed
2. The building footings will be installed for all five buildings
3. The building pads will be installed for all five buildings
4. The final site prep will be completed in preparation for framing and siding the buildings
That list should take us into July. We are, at this point anticipating a delay in our opening. We don't want to speculate at all about how long that delay will be. Our best case scenario at this point is October 1. Our VERY, VERY worst case scenario is December 1.
We are concerned about the delay at this point but remain very optimistic that we can still make an October opening. We need to remind everyone that our buildings are very simple one-story residential buildings. There are no steel girders or complex concrete layers.
Buildings just like ours are being constructed in neighborhoods all over our community and they are going up from step one to completion is fifty days. If we get our permit (as we expect to do), have drier weather (as NC usually experiences in the summertime), and have no further code-related delays (please pray for us), our buildings should be built by the end of August. Once the buildings are finished we will still need to paint, landscape and decorate (we love that part) so that we can pass day care licensing standards. Once the building is in our possession we PROMISE you all that we will work around the clock to get done as quickly as possible. In fact, we may call upon our community to help us with our final task of landscaping, painting and loading into the building. The more hands the better once we reach that phase.
Please check next week's blog for information about:
1. We are trying to secure additional classroom spaces at the Davis Road Campus to temporarily house the half-day program
2. Deposit information
*We are now enrolling the Davis Road Campus to the maximum capacity for the first time. If you are in dire straights for care in the fall we URGE you to contact Mary now at mary@thelittleschool.net so that we can work on planning for you for the fall.
Glimpse: A reassuring (we hope) glimpse into our past:
In 2005 when we decided to open the Little School we knew that we would need to more or less gut the building that is now our school. Our hope was that we would take possession of our building on July 1. In the end we took possession on August 1. We knew that we had to open on time for September 1, 2005.
We pooled our human resources and brought together a group of family, friends and even some students of Christa's and we moved into the school building. We worked from 8:00am until 2:00am many days so that we could open on time. In the end we completed plumbing, electricity, flooring, trim, new doors, alarm system installation, sod (what were we thinking!?), and painting during that month. The building was brand new when we were finished.
We were committed and we stuck with it.
We were then and we are now completely committed to doing everything that we can to bring our buildings together as quickly as possible.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Week 14: Another Frustrating Week.
We continue to struggle with our code compliance issue. Ugh! We have three agencies or governing bodies involved with this issue. One agency is saying that they require us to do something that another won't approve and a third would require us to immediately remove- even prior to opening. We are not quite sure how to resolve the issue and so we have asked for a meeting of all concerned parties hoping that we can find some common ground and get moving again. We are not completely stalled, but we will be very soon if we are not able to settle this issue. We wish that all the parties could observe how our preschoolers solve their conflicts. One states the problem, the other listens and then responds with kind words such as "What do you need to make it better?", they take turns talking it out until they come to a solution that benefits both children. It seems so simple!
And so this week begins with us again waiting for our final building permit!
If you visit the site this week you will see the builders installing our retaining walls. It should be fun to see the big trucks moving all of the concrete and stone into place. If you stopped by over the weekend you likely saw all of the materials on huge pallets waiting- looking expectant. With the beautiful blue sky and shining sun today the crew should be able to get a whole lot completed even today.
At the Davis Road Campus things are continuing to move along towards Preschool graduation. THE CEREMONY HAS BEEN MOVED TO FRIDAY, JUNE 19th AT 6:30. You are all welcome to join us in celebrating our graduates. We will be serving cake afterwards.
Glimpse: As our site work crew is clearing the land we are hand-selecting trees to be put aside for the playground. They called us recently to ask us how short we wanted them to cut the trees. We were so surprised. We asked what in the world they meant. They asked again how much we wanted them to cut off the top and bottom of the tree. "NOTHING!" was our enthusiastic response. We want the kids to be able to see the entire tree so they can learn how it works. "Even the rootball?" they asked. "ESPECIALLY THE ROOT BALL!" we answered. What a great teaching tool the root system is for us. They scratched their heads. We beamed from ear to ear. Of COURSE we want the whole tree. Who wouldn't???
And so this week begins with us again waiting for our final building permit!
If you visit the site this week you will see the builders installing our retaining walls. It should be fun to see the big trucks moving all of the concrete and stone into place. If you stopped by over the weekend you likely saw all of the materials on huge pallets waiting- looking expectant. With the beautiful blue sky and shining sun today the crew should be able to get a whole lot completed even today.
At the Davis Road Campus things are continuing to move along towards Preschool graduation. THE CEREMONY HAS BEEN MOVED TO FRIDAY, JUNE 19th AT 6:30. You are all welcome to join us in celebrating our graduates. We will be serving cake afterwards.
Glimpse: As our site work crew is clearing the land we are hand-selecting trees to be put aside for the playground. They called us recently to ask us how short we wanted them to cut the trees. We were so surprised. We asked what in the world they meant. They asked again how much we wanted them to cut off the top and bottom of the tree. "NOTHING!" was our enthusiastic response. We want the kids to be able to see the entire tree so they can learn how it works. "Even the rootball?" they asked. "ESPECIALLY THE ROOT BALL!" we answered. What a great teaching tool the root system is for us. They scratched their heads. We beamed from ear to ear. Of COURSE we want the whole tree. Who wouldn't???
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Week 13: Rain, Rain Go Away...
Do you all remember that we reported gaining a week in our last blog entry? The rain this week has more or less corrected our schedule.
Actually, this was a hard week for the project because we have also run into our first real snag in our permitting process. The problem is code related and it has to do with the translation of code from Orange County to the Town of Hillsborough and back to our architect who is responsible for gathering all of the information and finding a way to make everyone happy. We have become stuck in the gray area, and those in charge are trying to sort it all out but it is not happening quickly. As it involves our plumbing we are going to hit a delay if it is not resolved very quickly. This is very frustrating for us as we would like to create a list of options, walk them from desk to desk until we find one that makes everyone happy, and then move on it. As you all know, it is not that simple and it is out of our hands. And so we wait...
At the Davis Road Campus things are quickly coming together as we prepare for graduation and welcome many new children into the building. Our biggest movement of the year is going to take place next month as we see about a dozen children leave us and welcome in about a dozen more. It is always bitter sweet for us. Our graduation ceremony is scheduled for Friday, June 12th and you are all welcome to attend if you would like.
Warning: We usually cry at these things. This one is going to be particularly difficult as this is the first class that we have seen all the way through our building. When we remember the first day of the Little School and all of their tiny little hands and smiles it nearly overwhelms us to think that we are going to see them move on. Having said that, you must know that we never say "Good bye" at the Little School. We always say "See You Soon!" instead!
Glimpse: We completed our fund raiser for the Hillsborough Police K-9officers on Saturday with the presentation of a check for $800. Our money will be used to buy all of the equipment necessary to keep one of the dogs safe. We are very proud of our accomplishment and it was wonderful to be able to bring us all together on Saturday morning at Gold Park to give our gift directly to the Officer and his dog.
In the future we are very much looking forward to fully incorporating a service learning approach into our curriculum. We are busily researching preschool service models in the hopes of starting in our preschool room this year but charging the preschoolers with the task of teaching the rest of the school. We had a great example in the Duke School this year where the children participated in a back pack project where they brainstormed a series of fund-raisers, gathered their funds, distributed the funds to each of the children, and then had the children purchase food and supplies that were then distributed to very poor families living in our area. From conception to fruition the children did it all and along the way they trained each other. We love that and look forward to many such experiences in the future.In the meantime, please enjoy the photo of our presentation. There will also be photos in the News of Orange in the next edition.
Actually, this was a hard week for the project because we have also run into our first real snag in our permitting process. The problem is code related and it has to do with the translation of code from Orange County to the Town of Hillsborough and back to our architect who is responsible for gathering all of the information and finding a way to make everyone happy. We have become stuck in the gray area, and those in charge are trying to sort it all out but it is not happening quickly. As it involves our plumbing we are going to hit a delay if it is not resolved very quickly. This is very frustrating for us as we would like to create a list of options, walk them from desk to desk until we find one that makes everyone happy, and then move on it. As you all know, it is not that simple and it is out of our hands. And so we wait...
At the Davis Road Campus things are quickly coming together as we prepare for graduation and welcome many new children into the building. Our biggest movement of the year is going to take place next month as we see about a dozen children leave us and welcome in about a dozen more. It is always bitter sweet for us. Our graduation ceremony is scheduled for Friday, June 12th and you are all welcome to attend if you would like.
Warning: We usually cry at these things. This one is going to be particularly difficult as this is the first class that we have seen all the way through our building. When we remember the first day of the Little School and all of their tiny little hands and smiles it nearly overwhelms us to think that we are going to see them move on. Having said that, you must know that we never say "Good bye" at the Little School. We always say "See You Soon!" instead!
Glimpse: We completed our fund raiser for the Hillsborough Police K-9officers on Saturday with the presentation of a check for $800. Our money will be used to buy all of the equipment necessary to keep one of the dogs safe. We are very proud of our accomplishment and it was wonderful to be able to bring us all together on Saturday morning at Gold Park to give our gift directly to the Officer and his dog.
In the future we are very much looking forward to fully incorporating a service learning approach into our curriculum. We are busily researching preschool service models in the hopes of starting in our preschool room this year but charging the preschoolers with the task of teaching the rest of the school. We had a great example in the Duke School this year where the children participated in a back pack project where they brainstormed a series of fund-raisers, gathered their funds, distributed the funds to each of the children, and then had the children purchase food and supplies that were then distributed to very poor families living in our area. From conception to fruition the children did it all and along the way they trained each other. We love that and look forward to many such experiences in the future.In the meantime, please enjoy the photo of our presentation. There will also be photos in the News of Orange in the next edition.
