LaFayette CSD Celebrates the Completion of Grimshaw Elementary’s New Library-Media Center

On Wednesday, June 14, 2023, the LaFayette Central School District held a celebration for the opening of their new Library-Media Center at Grimshaw Elementary. The new space is one of the cornerstones of the District’s 2020 Capital Project.

On December 10, 2020, LaFayette residents approved the $8.6 million capital project with three main objectives: 1) improving air quality to create healthier learning environments; 2) upgrade facility infrastructure to ensure safety, health, and security; and 3) educational program enhancements. These objectives all aid the district and Board of Education’s main goal of facilitating and encouraging the “lifelong learning of LaFayette students.” The project included renovations to LaFayette’s Grimshaw Elementary and Junior/Senior High School.

A major highlight of the project was Grimshaw Elementary’s comprehensive garden inspired redesign of its Library-Media Center. This revamped hub of learning now boasts impressive features such as a makerspace, learning commons, group study areas, more diverse seating options, and an updated circulation desk.

The Learning Commons is a place for teaching and learning as a large group. The furniture can also be reorganized for individual or smaller groupwork. The tree design is meant to signify that this is a gathering area. District leadership also hopes to host community events, Board of Education meetings, author signings, and other gatherings in this space. The makerspace is a more technological take on the nature theme. The space can be used for science experiments, 3D printing, crafting, technology lessons, and more.

With these modern enhancements, students at Grimshaw Elementary School can focus their energy on thriving and achieving academic excellence in a space that is both technology-rich and creatively engaging.

LaFayette’s Junior/Senior High School is currently undergoing renovations, including critical infrastructure work and repairs. Key student space improvements include upgrades to the schools’ Technology Suite and the creation of the Academic Hall of Excellence in the lobby near the Auditorium. Additionally, the Hall of Excellence features a new student-run café. The renovation work continues this summer with an anticipated completion by Fall 2023.

The ceremony was attended by the Board of Education, faculty, students, parents, architects, construction manager, engineers, and contractors. Belfield discussed how much he enjoyed the project since students who were in school during construction got to see an up-close look at the entire process. While addressing the students, Belfield said “It was really great to showcase how a construction project works because these are great careers that you should think about when you’re older. You can be the architect, the person who draws this on paper. You can help think about how to build it as an engineer. You can think about how to plan it as a construction manager. Or you can physically build it as a contractor. These are all great careers that we need in our community.”

Ronald “Shawn” Reyburn, the President of the Board of Education also spoke. He discussed the district’s goal of encouraging lifelong learning and praised the Library-Media Center for its ability to assist in that endeavor, “A space like this can help to accomplish our goal. Students can explore their hopes and dreams. They can come in and ask their questions or field their concerns and learn about those things as they study, as they read, as they build, as they create, and as they write. All while utilizing their many senses and skills.”