Students looking at table

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va.--Jefferson County Schools (JCS) supports children in building the future in more ways than one. This week, children from Ranson Elementary School (RES) and Shepherdstown Elementary School (SES) met with a team of architects and interior designers to brainstorm ideas on their new schools. Students ranging from Kindergarten to 5th grade weighed in on all the things they would like to see in their new school to make learning fun.

           “I think it is going to be really cool,” RES third grade student Cayden Barrientos said of the new school. “It feels great to be involved in the design of the new building.”
Students’ creative ideas covered cozy reading nooks, outdoor theater classroom spaces, an astronomy section in the STEAM lab (to look for RES Rockets), and reading furniture in the library disguised as desert rocks (for SES Road Runners to race through).  Students also had input on how the schools should feel and look with opinions on color and acoustics. 
That will make both schools great places to attend, according to SES fourth grade student Presley Moulton.
“It will be the best school in Jefferson County because of its new designs and colors. It will be a fun school to go to!”
In addition to the committees, every student in the two schools will have a chance to offer their ideas when they create design concepts as part of their art classes.
"Even during difficult times, we keep our excitement for learning by hearing student and teacher voices planning for a bright future," Superintendent Dr. Bondy Gibson-Learn said. 
           “It made my family feel really proud of me and made me feel special also,” RES second grade student Adrianna Ogunfiditimi said.
And SES fifth-grader Kevin Smith said it is special to be part of something that will be part of the community for generations.
“I am excited for the future students of SES,” he said. “It will be a great school to go to.”
The architects will use all of the feedback from teachers and students to draft a model plan they will share for extensive public review and feedback to create schools that reflect our community.