Planning & Design Meetings Social Studies Department: Program Meeting No.1 5/7/2009 - MinutesSocial Studies Department
Palo Alto High School
7 May 2009
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PALO HIGH SCHOOL
Palo Alto Unified School District
PROGRAM MEETING NOTES
DATE: 7 May 2009
SUBJECT: Social Studies Department: Program Meeting No.1
ATTENDEES: Eric Bloom, Paly Hilary McDaniel, Paly
Steve Foug, Paly Jack Bungarden, Paly
Kathie Laurence, Paly Jaclyn Edwards, Paly
Arlene Camm, PAUSD/OCMI Grant Blackburn
Ben Bolanos, Paly Arne Lim, Paly
Jacquie McEvoy, Paly Erwin Lee, DLM
Paul Stickney, PAUSD/OCMI Dean Schmitz, DLM
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the social studies department’s program and
the program needs in the new classroom building. The following are the highlights of the
meeting:
1. Jacquie gave a brief status overview of the master planning process and the events
and decisions that were made.
2. Arne Lim presented materials form the math department’s program meeting which
included the Master Plan diagram, as approved by the Board in April, showing the
location of the proposed classroom building and an enlarged floor plan concept diagram
from the Master Plan. Since the social studies floor plans will be similar to that of the
math department, Arne shared some of the concerns that the math department had.
3. The current building is planned for 24 classrooms with 12 on each floor for each
department. Currently, the math department is proposed for the second floor.
4. A diagram of the first floor of the classroom building was presented with the existing
social studies offices superimposed in the common central area. This diagram
illustrated, for comparison purposes, the size of the proposed common area relative to
the existing social studies offices. It was noted that the diagram is the same
configuration shown in the Master Plan. However, the actual plan will undoubtedly
change based on the program and further development of the building.
5. Three concepts of building circulation and entry to the classrooms were discussed:
• Exterior at perimeter of building with entries from an exterior balcony
• Interior within central area with entries from an atrium or corridor
• Combination of exterior and interior with entries from both corridor and balcony
Each concept has advantages and disadvantages:
• Exterior:
Advantages: All rooms have direct access to the central common area, is the
existing pattern of building circulation on the campus
Disadvantages: supervision at back of building, elevated views to corporation yard
and roofs, potential for congestion, windows on one side of classrooms
Social Studies Department
Palo Alto High School
7 May 2009
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• Interior:
Advantages: easier to supervise, creates gathering area for students, allows
windows on both sides of classrooms, can easily secure second floor after hours
Disadvantages: classrooms lose direct connection to central common area, creates
pass-thru within building, is different building circulation configuration currently on
campus
• Combination:
Borrows from each with advantages and disadvantages of each
In general, the exterior entry configuration was preferred.
Erwin will provide plan diagrams for the next meeting which illustrates how each of
these concepts might work. He also noted that in any of the concepts, there will be a
need to bring natural light to the lower level. This could be accomplished in the form of
a two-story atrium type space, light wells or solar tubes.
6. It was noted that there may an advantage to acquiring additional space from the
adjacent corporation yard in. The exterior balcony options tend to increase the building
footprint.
7. Individual offices (currently have offices) are preferred over cubicles (science dept.
configuration). However, Jacquie encouraged the group to visit other departments to
see how they are configured and how they work. Erwin indicated that if individual
offices are used, it would be best if the partitions went to door height in lieu of to the
ceiling. This allows for a less costly heating, ventilating and air conditioning system.
8. A floor plan of a typical classroom was distributed for discussion as to what the typical
social studies classrooms would need. The important elements and preferences are:
• Classrooms can be entered from either the front or back, but is a teacher
preference.
• A minimum of two markerboards are required— whiteboards are preferred. It was
also suggested that a vertical, double-hung or horizontal, sliding whiteboard system
might be used to increase whiteboard surface area.
• Preference is for carpet (carpet tile) for floor finish. Carpet tiles are used because
they are easier to replace.
• LCD projectors are desired—ceiling mount will be part of the project if this is the
delivery system chosen.
• Blackout curtains are not required; however, room darkening roller screens (light
transmittance to be very small) are desirable. The social studies department uses
film projectors which require a darker room light level than the LCD projectors.
• “Smartboards” may become part of the project, department will need to determine if
it is something that can be integrated into the curriculum. Jacquie indicated that this
needs to be confirmed because she believes it will be procured from another
funding source.
• Sinks are not required in classrooms. However, access to centrally located water is
necessary.
• A shower was suggested as a feature in the staff restrooms.
• Each classroom would get approximately 9-12 feet of cabinets such as a 3 FT
wardrobe unit with 6-9 FT of base and upper cabinets. Locks are desirable for all
locations. The actual configurations can be determined when the project is further
along.
Social Studies Department
Palo Alto High School
7 May 2009
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• Communicating doors between classrooms are not required or desired.
9. The types of spaces required for the social studies department:
• 12 Classrooms
• 12-15 Offices or office spaces (includes part time people)
• Conference Room
• Staff room
• Resource Room (common area—should have direct access for students)
• Workroom
• Storage
• Staff Restrooms
• Support spaces (custodial, mechanical, electrical, etc.)
10. Student restrooms will be located on the ground floor only. However, staff restrooms
will be on both levels.
11. Jacquie indicated that Paly will be moving towards a centralized book storage system.
12. Next Steps:
Review of plan diagrams
Follow-up meeting to be scheduled.
END
Prepared by Erwin Lee of Deems Lewis McKinley. Please advise in writing if you feel that any of the above
items are inaccurate.
cc: Attendees
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