Learning studio takes portables to a new level
More schools to see district-built models
“The Cottage” opens its doors today at Quadra Elementary School.
That’s the nickname Quadra teachers have given to the new portable classroom that has been under construction next to the school’s main building. Unlike most portables in the Greater Victoria school district, the Quadra unit has been built by district staff.
Two similar units at Willows Elementary School have also been staff-built, and will be ready to go this week.
The three new portables are so unusual that district officials were looking for a different term for them, district secretary-treasurer Mark Walsh said Monday. A suggestion from a member of the public has them settled on “learning studios.”
The specially designed structures are built to last 50 years — conventional portables tend to have 10- to 20-year lifespans — are very well-insulated and can hold up to 29 students.
While the portables can have plumbing added at some point, they are without it for now, Walsh said. But the proximity to the central school site makes it easy for students to use washroom facilities, he said.
The original plan was for the Quadra and Willows portables to be ready for the start of school in September, but factors such as supply issues and the need to create dozens of new classrooms throughout the district affected the building schedule.
The new classrooms were needed to comply with last fall’s Supreme Court of Canada ruling restoring 2002 contract language for B.C. teachers regarding class size and composition.
“Essentially, we’re handing the keys over to the principal [today],” Walsh said. “Willows has a bit of pathway work left to do and a couple of panels on the roof need to be done.”
Waiting for the buildings to be finished has meant juggling of classroom space, and it will be nice to put an end to that, he said.
“There’s going to be some relieved folks for sure.”
Walsh said Quadra and Willows staff members have done a good job of “stickhandling” to make the temporary space work.
He said the district is already planning two more of the “learning studios,” one at Central Middle School and one at Northridge Elementary School.
More could follow after that to house child-care locations, Walsh said. “We’re examining the model,” he said. “We’re waiting to hear back from the Ministry of Children and Families about support for some care facilities.”
Walsh said use of the model could also expand beyond that.
“We’re definitely going to be encouraging different folks, different districts, different ministries to have a look at it.”
The final cost of the three new structures will be about $175,000 apiece, above the previous estimate of about $150,000 each. Only the roofing has not been done in-house.
The district likes the results, Walsh said, and should the need arise, does not expect to buy any further portables from an external source.
As for the possibility of opening closed schools in the district to accommodate space needs, he said nothing has been decided.
“We need to make sure our numbers really warrant it,” Walsh said.
A district committee has been looking at the possibility of reopening shuttered schools. There were seven elementary schools closed from 2003 to 2007 when district enrolment was in decline.