High School Renovations Showcased at Ceremony

Have you seen the new music addition or any of the other building upgrades made at ?

The Whitefish Bay School District will host a showcase and dedication on Sunday, Aug. 21, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for the public to tour the new music wing and view the recent upgrades to the 79-year-old building. The remodeling was funded by a referendum approved by the village in November 2009.

Events during the showcase and dedication will include tours led by high school students, live performances by both students and community members, including members of the 484th Army Band, and a scavenger hunt throughout the newly remodeled areas. 

More than 20,000 square feet of new and remodeled areas will be featured, including a new music wing, atrium area, a new common space linking the field house and the main school building area, new science and engineering classrooms and laboratories.

The music wing includes acoustically designed and soundproofed choral, orchestra and band areas, three offices, eight practice rooms and three secure storage rooms. The music wing will serve 350 high school students enrolled in curricular music classes, plus dozens more participating in extracurricular music and theater programs. 

"The architecture is cool and the natural light makes the whole wing feel inviting,” high school senior Chris Desien said. “We (the WFBHS band) play better because of the good acoustics. You can hear every member of the band more easily, so we produce a tighter sound.”

WFBHS Principal Bill Henkle said he is pleased to be able to show the public the recent improvements to the building during the ceremony.

"Whitefish Bay High School is recognized for having a great academic program," he said. "The expansion and remodeling of the science, engineering and performing arts areas will further support those skills that are essential to our students’ success as 21st century citizens.”

The showcase and dedication event is being sponsored by all the WFBHS parent groups. Anyone wanting more information or wishing to volunteer to help should contact Sarah Freeman at (414) 332-1364.