March Roars in to Herald the Opening of a New School at Spaulding Youth Center
March 07, 2012
On a cold blustery Monday morning in March, the Spaulding Youth Center community gathered to celebrate the much anticipated opening of the new school building. Students accompanied by teachers, staff and friends from the Tilton-Northfield EMT and Fire Department, and escorted by the nationally renowned Tilton-Northfield American Legion Post 49 Color Guard, marched across campus and gathered around the flag pole outside of the new school entrance. Although the flag raising ceremony itself was hindered by high winds, enthusiasm soared as everyone eagerly entered the school and walked into the sun-filled Atrium with spectacular mountain views.
Groups of students excitedly dispersed down the hallways to their classrooms, with teachers and staff, to begin their first day of classes in the new school building. Confidently settling in, they found their cubbies and desks with their classmates, and began discovering the joys of their new school setting. One student eagerly said to anyone who would listen, “Our new school is rock and roll cool!”
The school was abuzz with activity – a boy and a girl working together on a speech and language lesson in a therapy room with long views across campus, a student engaging in physical therapy in a room designed for that purpose, children discovering new Smart Boards that accommodate multiple students working together, a class enjoying a story in the library/media center lined with books and new computers, students creating art using spring colors, teachers outlining the day’s activities and expectations on Smart Boards, staff checking out microscopes in the new science lab, meetings underway in the conference rooms, therapists touring the Life Skills Suite – all happening in an acoustically sound school with spacious classrooms, natural lighting, calming colors and energy-efficient design.
Designed by Banwell Architects of Lebanon, NH and built by Conneston Construction (CCI), a Laconia-based construction management company, the 22,503 square foot, high performance school building is designed to accommodate up to 100 students. “Spaulding CEO and President Susan S. Calegari remarked, “This new school promises to be place of wonder, a place for discovery, and a place for success for scores of young people. It truly is a dream come true.”
Spaulding Youth Center is a leading provider of educational, therapeutic and foster care programs and services for children and youth with autism, neurological, and behavioral challenges. Spaulding proudly serves youth and their families – transforming lives and helping children and youth achieve their full potential.
For more information contact the Director of Development & Community Relations, Donate@SpauldingYouthCenter.org or 603.286.8901 ext. 107.
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