The fruits of 2022 referendum on display at area school tours
Parents excited to see, administrators thrilled to show renovations and additions at AASD schools.
Nearly three years after Appleton voters overwhelmingly approved a $130 million referendum for the Appleton Area School District, administrators got a chance to show off just what it got them at district-wide open houses on Aug. 20.
Hundreds of parents of students in the area showed up at various schools around the city to look at everything from new or renovated tech ed or chemistry and biology labs to multipurpose facilities to new classrooms to brand new gymnasiums to new training centers at the three high schools.
The capital and operational referendum from 2022 passed with a 70 percent majority, deemed the highest margin in AASD history.
Perhaps no school received more visitors than the brand new Sandy Slope Elementary on East Edgewood, whose groundbreaking took place less than two years ago. Sandy Slope is the first new elementary school in Appleton in 35 years.
The parking lot was packed by 6 p.m., thirty minutes after the open houses began and parents seemed wowed by the sunlit and spacious commons that greeted them when they walked through the front doors as well as the other amenities that included classroom pods, the STEM room, the library, the art room and the music room, among others.
Sandy Slope can accommodate nearly 600 students. The silo from the former Sandy Slope Farm has been incorporated into the school's design.
Sandy Slope Elementary library, left, and Sandy Slope Commons
Ten new classrooms allows Einstein to add sixth graders
Einstein Middle School boasts 10 new classrooms, a new cafeteria/commons area and a remodeled Tech Ed Center for STEM integration.
“The STEM lab is amazing,” said Dean of Student Nikki Nelson. “We’ll be able to do a lot more with graphic arts and design and it allows us to do a lot more with robotics. We also have new 3D printers.”
Nelson was also excited about adding an entire new wing that includes 10 new classrooms. Einstein will now be able to accommodate sixth graders along with the seventh- and eighth graders it has always taught.
“From a middle school philosophy standpoint, sixth graders should be included,” she said. “It’s been such a blessing because now, instead of having these kids for only two years, we’ll have them for three.”
Einstein also features a fully refurbished science room with sinks, more storage and portable electrical outlets.
Renovated science room, left, and Tech Ed room at Einstein Middle School
At Kaleidoscope Middle School, Principal Alex Molitor was thrilled by the entire new design, which, she said, provides more space and room for learning and collaboration.
“I mean, it’s so amazing,” she said. “There was so much work we put in the back end of planning and working with the teachers of what they wanted and how to make it all flow and how we would repurpose some of our old spaces.”
The renovated STEM lab features all new tables and a new floor and has been opened up from two separate rooms to one room.
“Now it can be a flexible space in between the computer lab side and the STEM lab,” she said.
Kaleidoscope also repurposed some space for a new dance studio and added a new gym.
Refurbished Tech Ed room, left, and new dance studio at Kaleidoscope Middle School
Wilson and Madison Middle Schools, like Kaleidoscope and Einstein, received remodeled Tech Ed Centers, new classrooms and new gyms.
At Madison, art and music classrooms, as well as a fitness center, were added on the north side of the building. On-site parking was also increased.
“Last year was our first year bringing sixth grade into the middle schools,” said Poyee Xiong, now in her third year as principal. “That was huge. We brought in 300 6th-graders last year, and so this addition, this whole new wing, is all sixth-grade classrooms.”
New addition, left, and new music room at Madison Middle School
New training facilities, biology and chemistry labs at North
Appleton North Principal Nate Werner couldn’t wait to show off the school’s new Biology and Chemistry Labs, which can be used interchangeably and offer rolling furniture and much more flexibility for student use.
His greatest excitement came over the state-of-the-art training facility. The weight room, which runs the length of a 50-foot room, has 37 weight racks and can accommodate 75 weight-trainers at one time and features all modern equipment. Up a level is a 30-yard artificial turf practice field and more training equipment, including cardio.
“Athletes have already been able to utilize this for a couple of months now,” says Werner, the former Athletics director at the school. “We’re still finishing up. We still don’t have Wi-fi everywhere so we can’t use the TVs just yet.
Between all that and a renovated Tech Ed Center, Werner is eager for it all to be finished and ready for the students this fall.
“I mean, we are so lucky to have our taxpayers who are willing to support this,” he said. “And it’s just going to be some great learning spaces for the kids.”
New weight room, left, and biology and chemistry labs at Appleton North
STEM additions at elementary schools
Included in the Appleton East improvements were eleven new classrooms and a fitness center. East High seniors Brenda Rades and Natalie Tlachac took visitors on a tour of the school's latest additions.
“This allows not only students but teachers to have their own spaces,” Rades said. “And it's just really awesome that we were able to get all of these awesome opportunities through the referendum.”
West High principal Joshua Chudacoff, himself an Appleton West graduate, showed off the 32,000-square-foot sports complex that will serve as a physical education classroom and an athletics practice facility, as well as provide space for other school and community functions. Along with the turf space, the new building features batting cages, a dedicated classroom, a health room, changing spaces, golf simulators, and lobby space. Other West improvements include an outdoor concession stand with restrooms and additional on-site parking.
Clockwise, from top left: Appleton East weight room, East main entrance; New athletic facility at Appleton West; new training area at West.
New STEM classrooms have been added to all elementary schools, as well as Appleton Public Montessori and Classical Charter School. Renovations at Ferber and Houdini Elementary Schools also included the installation of new secure entrances.
At Ferber, the suite will include a reception area and offices for the principal, dean of students, and the school nurse. Principal Heather Doyle Ostrum said it is a priority for the classrooms to be completed by the first day of classes, Sept. 1.
McKinley’s new STEM classroom will support hands-on science and engineering.
Families can find detailed information about their child’s school on the district’s website. The first day of classes is Tuesday, September 2.
