Bronxville School Board President, Arleen Thomas, Cutting the Ribbon to Officially Open the New BHS Atrium entrance. Photo by staff
By Staff
Jun. 9, 2021: In a ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday, June 7th, 2021, the Bronxville School announced the opening of the new Bronxville High School Atrium entrance on Meadow Avenue. Bronxville School Board President, Arleen Thomas, cut the ribbon with cheers from students, administrators, parents and others celebrating this exciting moment.
This new entrance is the final project of a $28.3 million capital improvement program undertaken by the school. The capital improvements include an expanded cafeteria, a new guidance suite, a new innovation center, an expanded health center, new classroom space, and replacement of the "curtain wall" on the Elementary School. A year earlier, the School also installed a new track, refurbished the Elementary School playground and added flood mitigation pumps and drains to alleviate the school's ongoing flooding problems.
Regarding the completion of this project, Bronxville School Superintendent Dr. Roy Montesano said, “We are extremely pleased with the outcome of the capital projects that not only captures our need to renovate our learning spaces to match our instruction but also preserves and adds to the character of our 100-year-old building."
Dan Carlin, Assistant Superintendent for Business at the Bronxville School, who oversaw the projects, said, "We are so thankful to the Bronxville community, the Bronxville School PTA, and the Bronxville School Foundation for the support for this project. The Bronxville School Board did a fantastic job focusing a coalition of stakeholders to maximize the combination of private funding, cash on hand, and unprecedented low borrowing rates to meet a myriad of needs for all students."
Below are some photographs of the completed projects.
Bronxville School Entrance and Atrium
A year ago, the Bronxville School entrance on Meadow Avenue looked like this:
Below is the new finished Atrium entrance on Meadow Avenue. The new Atrium provides space for students to sit and meet in small groups. The school also has wall space to display art and school notices. There is a security desk at the entrance.
Bronxville School Cafeteria
A year ago, the Bronxville School cafeteria looked like this.
Below are photographs of the School cafeteria today. The new cafeteria provides grab-and-go options and faster service in a new more open serving area. It includes significantly more seating and a lounge area for faculty and staff.
New Modern Classroom Space
As part of the capital improvement program, the School added a large modern classroom, a smaller room that includes microscopes and other equipment and a "learning commons." These rooms were added on the third floor above the blue gym. The learning commons includes tables and smart boards for group work in both an open setting and in smaller work rooms.
Guidance Suite
The School added a new Guidance Suite, located off the Atrium, which includes a reception desk, office space for the guidance counselors, seating for guests and a conference room to host meetings with families and college counselors visiting the school.
Innovation Center
As part of this project, the school created an Innovation Center in what used to be an old unused boiler room. The Innovation Center is a new space for robotics, 3D design and printing, and other innovative projects.
Health Suite
The school also created a new Health Suite that is double the size of the old health office. The new Health Suite includes multiple exam rooms and an isolation room.
Curtain Wall Replacement
As part of this project, the school replaced the "curtain wall" on the Elementary School building. The curtain wall was 50 to 60 years old and was replaced with brick to match the exterior of the rest of the building. New efficient classroom windows were also added.
Old Curtain Wall
New Elementary School Brick Exterior
Library
The Bronxville School Library was updated in 2019 with funds raised by the PTA. The updates include new carpeting, a glass wall along the corridor that provides a view into the Library, and the restoration of the original woodwork and book casing. As part of the recent project, improvements were made to a room adjacent to the library that can now be used for classroom and meeting space.
Air Conditioning
Thankfully, given the recent heat, the entire Bronxville School building is now air conditioned either with the new HVAC or with window units in some classrooms.
The following projects were completed under Phase 1 of the capital improvement program.
New Turf on Chambers Field & New Track
Updated Elementary School playground
Flood Mitigation Pumps
Phase 1 included the all-important flood mitigation pumps needed to alleviate flooding around the school.
Maintenance
The School also undertook several maintenance projects including roof replacement in some areas, brick repointing, lintel repairs, and the replacement of ceiling tiles in the Elementary School playroom. The front steps of the school were also repaired.
School steps under construction
School Steps Today
Photos by A. Warner