New Cafeteria wallThe new cafeteria wall will be 24 ft. high (that’s 4 Mr. Notari’s). Every 8 blocks they must fill the cinder block with a special cement called grout . That’s what helps the wall stand strait and tall to hold up the ceiling. The wall goes so high they built the covered walk way to protect the students from stuff falling. Shayla & Hannah the craneA 230 foot tall crane visited Longfellow on May 2nd to place a roof onto the new 3rd, 4th and 5th grade classrooms. The crane weighs the same as about 20 elephants! The hook piece alone is 990 pounds and the body piece weighs 197,000 pounds. We got to meet the crane operator and asked him some questions. We learned that he had to go to school for 4 years to get his special crane license. The seat has a cool motion sensor. It turns off when he gets up. The reason is for safety issues. -Hannah & Shayla Mike Aiello is the superintendent for Commercial Construction. He has ten subcontractors that he is in charge of and work on different parts of the renovation. He does the steel, concrete, beams, tiles, drywall, skylights, paint, ceiling, doors, hardware and other details. He also cuts holes in the walls. His favorite part of the day is the mornings because he likes to get everything planned out for the day. For example, he always has a plan for the job that they will get done that day. The most important part is to make sure that everyone makes it home in one piece and safe. Mike has always liked construction and he likes to do things that are challenging. He is excited to do this project because it will benefit the students now and the students in the future. Tyler Moody, Austin Terry and Brooke Webster
Tom Lamb is like the intern conductor. Mrs. Zabinksi is the main conductor. Tom is one of the 8 workers in charge of more of a certain thing. Tom is the electrican in charge. He tells his “band” members what they need to do and when. Tom will start off his day of work by showing his crew members what they need to do that day. The electricians don’t have much to do at this stage, because there are not a lot of jobs for an electrician at the moment. There are no light fixtures to put wires through. But as we get farther in the stage, especially in the summer, he will need to do more. Hannah Erlich
The New Cafeteria Area A lot has happened since last time. They are measuring dirt to make the new cafeteria and stage area level. The new cafeteria will be four feet higher than the old cafeteria, art room and music level. The old art room ceiling will also need to be raised. It will raise about 8 feet and then the old ceiling will be removed from underneath after the new ceiling is built. In order to make the new addition area, they are using a tool that will tell them if there is too much or too little dirt. Then, if it is correct a compress roller machine goes over the area and smooths it with giant weights in the roller. It packs the dirt together so that the dirt doesn't slowly sink down over time. Once all of that is done the area is ready for the foundation to be poured. Hannah, Kendal, Tyler, Brooke, Layla The New 3rd, 4th & 5th Grade Classrooms
They are also working on the new classroom addition in the back of the building. They are putting pipes in the ground so that water can flow from the roof, down into the pipes underground. They also have cement down with rebars in them to mark the perimeter of the classrooms. The current outside wall will become an inside wall and it will be part of the hallway in the 3rd, 4th and 5th grade classroom area. The old playground will eventually be returned behind this new addition area. Hannah, Kendal, Tyler, Brooke, Layla There are a lot of new things going on this week. Today we spent our recess time walking around the outside of the building and the school entrance. We hope you enjoy our latest pictures. Layla, Hanna & Tyler
Gate System The gate is there to keep everybody safe because if a truck comes by and somebody is standing in front of it when it is moving they will get crushed. That is why they open and close. When they are open trucks can pass and when it is closed we (the students) can pass. Layla & Lakkitah Playground & Tree Removal They are taking the playground and trees out because it will be replaced with additional classrooms for 3rd, 4th and 5th grade. The clearing will be done very soon. The trees have been worked on since last Wednesday, the 12th of February. The playground is almost done as well. **Please know we are only removing if for now. It will return. Brooke, Hannah & Tyler Construction Staging Area
They are putting in an access road at gate #1 to get to the contractor's staging area. The staging area includes trailers and offices for the workers and contractors. The access roads can get the machines, trucks and trailers to the construction site easily. Gate #2 leads to where the old playground was. Austin & Zach Welcome to our Longfellow Renovation Blog! We anticipate that our blog will be up and running by the time construction begins in February. In the meantime, please check out The Planning Phase.
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