By Megan Wadin
Staff Writer
Tucked away on Navajo Drive sits an isolated, 1950’s era building home to hundreds of early learners each day. These young students attend District 220’s only Early Childhood Center, Woodland. Focused on providing early education for at-risk students, Woodland has a diverse population of young learners with far-ranging needs. Due to aging resources and an out-of-date building, in the fall of 2010, Woodland will be relocated to a new, state of the art, eco-friendly facility, adjacent to Prairie Middle School. Woodland’s Head Librarian Denise Gustalli is eager for the upcoming move to Prairie. “I’m excited that we are more centrally located because we will be able to help more students,” said Ms. Gustalli. Most students attending Woodland take a 30-45 minute bus ride to school each day, she believes that the move will decrease commuting time for most students. According to Ms. Gustalli, Woodland is long overdue for an update, “We are working in an old facility and we need to be able to provide the best for our children,” she said. Sophomore Marian Kavanaugh attended Woodland as a second grade student while her school was being updated. “When I was transferred there as a second grader, I could tell that the building needed to be remodeled, I think the move will be good for the students,” said Kavanaugh. She believes that the Woodland early childhood center builds a strong foundation for special needs children to grow and learn. “The students
there deserve the best.”
Currently under construction, the new building will include modern technology specific to the needs of at-risk preschoolers. The new design includes four pods, each containing four classrooms. “Each pod has a central common area for all four classrooms to come together,” said Connie Simon, District 220’s Director of Special Education. “This area has the ability to be used for large group activities.” She believes that the new design will improve the early education program. “The original building never intended to serve early childhood, it was adapted,” said Ms. Simon. Because of the new facility’s specialized design, costs reached around 11.7 million dollars. This money went towards purchasing ten acres adjacent to Prairie Middle School, as well as to construction and other supplies. The project was financed through economic stimulus money, bond sales, and district reserves. So far, costs are $300,000 below budget because the construction expenses were lower than originally expected. Some of this extra cash may be used to improve the eco-friendly aspect of the new building. In attempts to endorse Barrington’s “green movement”, environmentally friendly modifications were made to the new facility. “We incorporated energy efficient lighting to save energy,” said Ms. Simon. The builders also looked at unique flooring ideas in attempts to cut costs and promote a healthy and safe environment. Ms. Simon is anxious for the move and the many opportunities it brings, “This has been a long initiative and it’s really exciting to see it take shape.”
