HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Base civil engineers recently announced that the United States Corps of Engineers, New England District, has awarded a $37 million contract to build a new 80,000-square-foot multi-story primary school here.
Preliminary work at the site will begin next month after students move into temporary school facilities near the Child Development Center.
“This project will consist of demolition of the existing primary school, the construction of a new primary school, and associated site work,” said Robert Leitch, project manager for the U.S. Corps of Engineers New England District.
When complete, the primary school will be fully integrated with the new middle school, which opened last spring, said David Wong, Hanscom’s chief of Engineering.
"We're replacing two schools that were built in the 1950s and renovated in the 1980s, so the families that live on base will soon have improved schools for their children to attend," said Wong.
The project will include 21st Century School concepts such as learning neighborhoods, central hubs surrounded by learning studios, flex labs, an information center annex, commons area for dining and social networking, therapy rooms, teacher work areas, counseling areas, storage, administrative offices and other required areas for a fully functioning facility.
“The newly constructed Hanscom Primary School will provide a learning environment that matches our 21st Century learning needs,” said Dr. Rebecca McFall, superintendent of Lincoln Public Schools. “The building design encourages project-based learning that is engaging and encourages collaboration between students and amongst faculty.”
According to the 21st Century Learning website, this type of learning includes a "holistic view of 21st century teaching and learning" by combining "a discrete focus on 21st century student outcomes with innovative support systems to help students master the multi-dimensional abilities required."
The project was coordinated with the Department of Defense Education Activity, or DODEA.
“Our highly skilled faculty deliver outstanding learning opportunities for our students,” said McFall. “We are proud to be able to provide them with a building that matches their commitment to education and demonstrates our respect for what they do for students each and every day.”
The project includes related infrastructure such as parking areas and playgrounds. Site improvements such as signage, fencing, paving, landscaping, exterior lighting and utilities are also included.
Officials expect the new primary school to open in the fall of 2019.
The Hanscom AFB campus consists of two schools, a primary school for students in kindergarten through third grade and a middle school for students in fourth through eighth grade. Both schools are provided and supported entirely by the federal government, and are operated as part of the Lincoln Public School system.
As plans continue, more information will be provided in Hansconian articles.