Multiple Improvement Projects Underway at Ossining Schools

Ossining students and staff will notice many improvements when they begin the new school year next month.

Construction on the one-story Park School addition is progressing steadily, and district officials are hopeful it will be completed by September. The new wing, which is needed to accommodate enrollment increases, includes four classrooms, two small-group instruction rooms and bathrooms. The addition is funded in part by state Smart School Bond Act funds.

A second project underway at Park involves library renovations, with most of the work supported by grants. The library is getting a new ceiling, and new lighting, heating and ventilation systems. The district is replacing the furniture in the room.

“We’re trying to make sure that we have safe environments for our kids that are warm and welcoming, and that are ever-evolving to support our district’s programs and student enrollment,” Superintendent Raymond Sanchez said.

At Ossining High School, the district is building a new main entrance that will improve safety and security. The entrance is being extended to include a security vestibule where visitors will sign in, and the main lobby is being renovated to make it a warm and inviting space. The entrance by the gym will also being reconfigured to create a security check-in area. Another summer project at OHS was new turf on the lower field.

Parents have contributed many hours to help spruce up the OHS campus. Ossining Padres Hispanos created a brick patio in the courtyard, and members of the Ossining Athletic Booster Club repainted the weight room.

At Roosevelt School, the district completed construction on a small kitchen addition with new appliances. The cafeteria walls have been freshly painted and new lighting has been installed. There is a new outdoor space with tables at the school.

At Anne M. Dorner Middle School, workers have been putting in a new water main, installing new bleachers in the gym and redoing the gym floor.

At Claremont School, the small STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) lab has been relocated from the basement to the library. The new program will be STREAM – the "R" is for reading and research. Ossining Matters! has contributed significantly to the program over the years. The group’s grants have paid for most of the lab’s equipment and resources.

Throughout the district, buildings and grounds employees have painting, cleaning and otherwise sprucing up the schools. “We’re very thankful for our buildings and grounds staff that are working very diligently to make sure that our buildings are ready for our students when they enter in September,” the superintendent said.

(Photos: Ossining High School (2), Park School (2), Roosevelt School (2), Claremont School.)