School in Coal Valley is like a new home...
Students and parents can’t wait to move in

Susan Mitchell, 3rd  grade teacher, taught at Bicentennial Elementary School since it opened in 1976. She is looking forward to moving into the new state-of-the-art building.

By Martha Garcia-Tappa
Communications Coordinator

Modern technology never becomes passé, and it manages to stun just about everyone. “A building with geothermal climate control – WOW now that’s exciting,” said Susan Mitchell, 3rd grade teacher who has been at Bicentennial Elementary School since it first opened in 1976.
 
“When the building opened, it was wonderful,” she said. “Everyone was talking about how the gym was great. Our new one will be the best.”
 
Bicentennial, which is undergoing renovations and is expected to open in January, will be the first major building project since 1976 in Moline School District No. 40. Once completed, the $8.3 million facility will have 22,000 square feet renovated and a 24,000 square foot addition. It will feature an additional eight new standard and three reconfigured classrooms, a full-sized gymnasium and rooms for special need circumstances and support staff.  The building will house 350 students in grades K-6.  Previously, Bicentennial housed grades K-3 and Horace-Mann grades K-6.


Ms. Mitchell recalls how all of the students loved the innovativeness of the old building.

“The students still loved the “back then” state-of-the-art round Bradley cast concrete sink basin,” she said. “I found a student walking around in it one day. I can’t even imagine what technology and new features we will be walking into when the renovation is done. Exciting!”
 
She will miss the old building because of the “small” and intimate settings, but feels it was time for change. “It is fascinating to have taught students in a new building, and now I will be teaching their children in that new building,” Ms. Mitchell said. “That in itself is rewarding.”
 
Eric Ekstam, a former student of Bicentennial Elementary School and now a parent of a 2nd grader, says he remembers how excited he was to walk into a brand new school building.
 
“I was among the first class of students that attended the original Bicentennial,” he said. “I had a great first impression. It felt like there was a lot of space for learning and playing. I hope my son has the same impression of his new school.”



Mr. Ekstam, who served on the Design Committee for the updates to Bicentennial, said he hopes the changes made will draw newcomers to the community.   
 
“I’m happy that we will have a building that is conducive to creating a better and safer learning environment,” he said. “I hope that we draw more people to the Moline/Coal Valley school system in hopes that it could lead to an overall positive economic impact for the broader community.”
 
Kris Christensen, Parent–Teacher Association President, said the excitement is resonating through families.
 
“My kids can’t wait to move in,” she said. ”It is almost like Christmas for them and I am sure it is for the teachers and community. The experience will be like moving into a brand new home.”
 
Ms. Christensen said the PTA can’t wait to raise more money and spend it on the building. “What will be the most rewarding is showing off our new school – with a lot of pride and ownership,” she said.
 
Bicentennial student Chloe Lasek, 6th grader, said that she is most excited about being with her friends in the new facility.
 
“We think it is cool,” she said. “There will be a lot of neat things to do together and enjoy.”
 
But Chase Bollman, also a student, said he is looking forward to the air-conditioned classrooms.
 
“The bigger rooms will be better, and we won’t be sweating all over each other,” he said. “I have asthma and it will help a lot.”
 
He and his friends look forward to the “huge” gym. “It looks really big,” he said. “We are going to have lots to do in there.”
 
Scott Turnipseed, principal at Horace-Mann and previously at Bicentennial, said everyone has been celebrating all year. In honor of the marriage of both schools, the PTA and the teachers had tye-dye T-shirts made up for everyone. 
 
“We are all one big family,” he said. “The students know we have an exciting move coming up as part of our school year.”
 
Mr. Turnipseed also said the District is celebrating a huge milestone.
 
““Our community has embraced the idea, and we are on our way to even more exciting things to come,” he said.
 
The teachers are as giddy as the students about the move.
 
Nancy Huff began teaching at Horace-Mann in 1967. She says she is looking forward to the change.

“I will be retiring in 2010 and it feels good to leave this building (Horace-Mann) and my ties and have new ties with Bicentennial,” she said. “I will leave the District with the great pride of being a part of a new beginning. The students and their families will celebrate many years to come with this new facility.”