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Thornton Middle School Conversion
August 4, 2023
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Dear Thornton Community,
I hope this finds you and your loved ones enjoying an excellent summer break.
It’s outstanding what we've been able to accomplish at Thornton Middle School over the summer, and I’m writing to share a progress update: all classrooms, the library and administrative offices are on track to welcome students and staff for the first day of school on Wednesday, August 16.
While we were confident we would meet this goal, it still took an incredible amount of effort and coordination by Thornton and District staff, and the many contractors working quickly and carefully across the campus. I thank every person involved in this work.
With less than two weeks until we welcome students back to school, we have a clear idea of the work that will continue into the school year and I want to share that with each of you. At Thornton, this work includes installing shade structures and new lunch tables, and completion of work on the locker rooms.
During this final phase of work, the following adjustments will be in place:
6th Grade Traffic Loop: One construction trailer may remain in the loop in the front of the new admin/library building at the center of campus along Thornton that is designated for drop-off/pick-up of 6th grade students. This will not impact the drop-off/pick-up lane, but will block some parking spaces. Please drive carefully through this and all loops on campus.
Shade Structure and Lunch Tables: We are awaiting delivery of the shade structure and new tables, which will be installed as soon as possible.
Locker Rooms: The occupancy of the locker rooms is limited at this time, and not all students will be able to use those facilities at the same time to dress out for PE as we start the school year. While this is resolved, your student's PE teacher will communicate the plan for your student’s class, such as staggered dressing times, to limit the number of students using those facilities at one time. We can assure you that your students will still have a meaningful PE experience this school year with some modifications in their program.
I am truly excited for students and staff to start the year in the new and improved facilities, on a campus with a strong history and where the Thornton MIDDLE School community will learn, play, socialize and much more for decades to come.
Read on for specific construction updates, and please look out for additional information from Principal Strausbaugh and Thornton Middle School staff as we near the first day of school on Wednesday, August 16.
Sincerely,
CJ Cammack
Superintendent
Campus Reopening
The Thornton campus is currently closed for construction. There is no public access to the fields, parking lots or any other portion of campus.
If you need to get in touch with an administrator or someone in the front office, please contact them by email, see the Thornton staff directory for all email addresses.
The office will be open to the public by August 15.
Current Projects
New Administration/Library Building
The new administration and library building is located at the front and center of campus.
Work completed in recent weeks includes:
- Installation of interior lighting
- Carpet installation
- Site concrete paving
- Installation of projectors
- Interior door installation
Work happening in the coming week includes:
- Wiring for building systems (fire alarm, data and lighting/mechanical controls)
- Fire alarm testing
- Sitework (asphalt paving)/landscaping
- Installation of exterior building/site lighting
Modernizations of Existing Facilities
Work completed in recent weeks includes:
- Paving/Striping at the Southeast parking lot, drive aisle and play courts
- Exterior painting at buildings 1, 8, 9 and 10
- Site lighting installation
- Drywall installation in buildings 1 and 9
- Installation of clock-speakers in buildings 3-7 and all portables
Work happening in the coming week includes:
- Installation of projectors
Final cleaning of portables
- Taping installation in buildings 1 and 9
- Final cleaning in the front parking lot
- Replacement of marquee at front of campus
Thank You for Your Support
Our community generously supported the $650 million Measure E Bond in 2014 to build and improve facilities.
The scope of the bond work includes upgrading and repairing neighborhood schools by updating technology and aging classrooms; upgrading electrical wiring to current safety codes; fixing or replacing leaky roofs, aging plumbing and restrooms; removing asbestos; and repairing, constructing and acquiring equipment, classrooms, sites and facilities.
Construction began at Thornton in 2020 with a scope that includes: construction of five classroom/lab buildings, construction of administration and library building, modernization of existing buildings, and various site improvements.
FUSD Middle School Conversion Timeline
Fall 2019: Walters Middle School welcomed 6th grade students
Fall 2020: Horner Middle School welcomed 6th grade students during distance learning
Fall 2021: Horner 6th-8th grade students returned to campus, Hopkins 7th-8th grade students moved to Bringhurst campus while Hopkins was under construction
Fall 2022: Hopkins Junior High campus reopened for 7th-8th grade students
Spring 2023: Information meetings will be held for staff, students and families moving
to Centerville, Hopkins or Thornton for the 2023-2024 school year
Fall 2023: Centerville, Hopkins and Thornton middle schools will welcome 6th grade students