JULY 15, 2011

We are in the final stretch of completing the new US/MS building!  The exterior work is underway as the new parking, curbs, sidewalks, rain gardens, and green spaces are being graded and prepped.  The stone on the exterior of the building is progressing nicely, and the paving for the parking lots has begun! The connection between the Middle School Auditorium and the Common Room hallway has been formed in masonry block and will be completed over the next few weeks.  Roofing and windows have all been installed and final detailing is underway.  Finishes are going down throughout the insides the building floor and final painting is happening throughout.  Installation of the lockers, science lab equipment, recycling centers, display cases and classroom cabinets is complete.  Millwork and lightfixtures are being installed throughout the building.  Interior doors and windows and lay-in ceilings are being installed.  We are nearing completion of the tele/data, HVAC, electrical, plumbing and mechanical infrastructure systems as well.   The architects have started their punchlist review and we are on target to get our substantial completion in August.

FIRST LOOK - Middle and Upper School students are invited to get their first look of the new buildings with tours by the Division Heads on Thursday, September 1 (MS, 8-9am; US 4-5pm) and Friday, September 2 (US 8-9am; MS 3-4pm).  More opportunities will be available throughout the fall for parents and community members. 

JUNE 1, 2011

A special thank you to Head of Upper School Rich Schellhas and Head of Middle School Ken Rogers for the great tours they gave last week after school to the more than 200 students, faculty and parents who toured the Alter Middle School and McNeil Upper School buildings. The excitement about the new facilities was contagious, and the tour groups doubled after the first day!  Don't miss your last chance of the school year to see the inside of the buildings - Saturday, June 4 at 11am.  RSVP to Julie Moore today (please remember that no child under 10 is allowed on the construction site).

The construction projects continue to be on schedule. The stone is being installed on the exterior and the glass curtain wall is being completed. Lockers, casework, cabinets, millwork, flooring and ceilings continue to be installed. Smartboards have been delivered and installation will begin in the next couple of weeks. Doors have been delivered and installation has begun. Work continues on the parking lot and new slip road.

GA had a wonderful day of weather at the new Carey Stadium for Lower School Field Day on May 27! Many of the asphalt paths have been paved and the landscaping has been completed. The new well irrigation has been fired up and watering the fields. The only work remaining is the asphalt paths around the baseball field and the final coat to the new parking lots. Natural grasses are also beginning to grow around the cells near the Class of 1888 Bridge.

May 17, 2011

We are pleased to report that the baseball field has opened and several games have been played already. The track has been coated and stripped, and a neighbor and 30-year runner on the old track, commented yesterday that the new track was like “glass” (he said that was good!).  The bleachers have been installed on the stadium and the stadium field has re-opened for use.  All grading and plantings below the baseball field have been completed as well.  There is some work to be done still as required by the Montgomery County Conservation District in The Preserve’s wet meadow area.  Up on the top, Field #9 has been planted and Field #8 is starting to grow. There are a few more asphalt paths to install and final touch ups on the new athletic field complex will complete the project shortly.

The Alter Middle School and McNeil Upper School project is proceeding on schedule.  Currently some site work is being completed to include the drainage, top soil and planting in the academic courtyard, which is on the other side of the Pavilion.  The final grades around the Morris Road side of the building are being cut and fine graded.  The stone continues to be installed on the exterior of the building and the green roof will be installed soon on the roof of the Pavilion (first floor) and Library and Technology Center (second floor).  On the interior, ceiling tile and carpet is being installed in classrooms and casework is being installed throughout the buildings.  The curtain wall continues to be installed, now on the 2^nd Floor between the Library and Technology Center and each of the Schools.  The link from the Alter Middle School to the Dining and Common Rooms is also being constructed.

There are several ways to see the new buildings in the next few weeks.  On Wednesday, May 25 and Thursday, May 26, all 5^th Grade, Middle School and Upper School students and their parents are invited to take a guided tour of the construction site at 3:15pm with the Division Heads.  Please ask your child to sign up on the sheets in their respective Division Office.  The tour will last approximately 50 minutes, and students who are not accompanied by a parent can be picked up in the Quad. 5^th GRADE PARENTS – please note that you MUST fill out a Blue Note to change your pick-up routine.  More information will be sent shortly.  There is also a construction tour for the entire GA community on Saturday, June 4 at 11am.  RSVP to Julie.Moore@germantownacademy.org if you are interested in attending. Please remember that NO child under the age of 10 may be on the site.