Facilities

School Design Should Embrace Montessori Ideals

Gregory Aerts, AIA

Sometimes every piece of a particular school - the students, staff, tools and curriculum - is in harmony except for the school building itself. This often happens in older buildings, especially those converted to a school. For all that is good in the school, some things are not good, and overall something just doesn't feel right. If building or a renovating a school is in your Montessori future, here is a primer on design elements to consider.
Given the unique Montessori philosophies, it is important to pursue a less institutional design to capture the curriculums ideals: hands on learning, independence, creativity and appreciation for all five senses in the learning process. The design should celebrate the wonders of interior space with warmth, comfort, familiarity, excitement, surprise and an abundance of natural light. The building should embrace the schools geographic amenities, such as open fields, plantings and trees, water views, hills or other topographical highlights.

Further, and in a purely practical mode, the new space must support current and future technology needs. Even an environment that is not technology-driven must be cognizant of technology trends and initiatives in the educational arena to compete on some level.

Sustainability is a popular term in building construction these days. Incorporating Irena building aspects can make your new building one that uses less energy, needs less maintenance and is a healthier place to live and teach. It is a good idea to investigate such alternatives, and all major design matters, though an ongoing dialogue with your architect.

Gregory Aerts, AIA, is president and founder of Gregory Aerts & Associates Architects ( http://www.gaerts.com) in Birmingham, Michigan. Mr. Aerts designed the Montessori Children House & Elementary School in Traverse City, Michigan and is currently completing the Beber House and Natures Classroom Montessori in Mukwonago, Wisconsin.

Safe Playground Surfaces

Poorly designed playground surfaces are NOT safe. As a matter of fact, the Center for Disease Control conducted studies revealing the following results:

70% of all playground injuries are caused by falls to the surface.

76% of all playground injuries occur at public facilities (parks, schools, child care centers).

Each year over 200,000 children require medical attention due to injuries on playgrounds.

Annually, over $1.5 billion dollars in health care costs are attributed to playground injuries.

An economical and environmentally friendly solution is right in your backyard.

Over 300 million scrap tires are disposed of in the U.S. each year

Currently, there are 700-800 million scrap tires stock piled throughout the U.S.

NSSI has the solution. We partner with schools and municipalities to find resources in order to assist with the purchase and installation of rubber tile playground surfaces, made with recycled tires, onto school and municipal playgrounds.

We provide tiles made with a patented cold cured process that converts crumb rubber into a variety of high quality safety products. This process enhances the life expectancy and cushioning effects of the tiles.

Playground tiles recommended by NSSI meet the strictest standards for playground surface safety .Contact Information

For more information on the National Safe Surfacing Initiative contact:

NSSI, LLC
PO Box 506
Carlisle, IA 50047

Phone - 866-345-NSSI (6774)
Fax - 515-989-0344