MARCH 15, 2024

The Millbrook Minute

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METHODS

Today's Blazer Bulletin highlights the ways in which our proposed capital project aims to further MCSD's focus on providing our students with the best methods for success.

MCSD's Strategic Plan is the foundation of our capital project planning initiative, with components of our mission, vision, values and pillars permeating every aspect of our proposed project design.

Tune in next week to learn about how the capital project focuses on our next pillar:

CONNECTEDNESS

Methods for Success: Millbrook's Capital Project Boosts Opportunities for

Both Students and Community

It’s a bit of a challenge to teach a culinary class without a kitchen, but that’s exactly what Millbrook Middle and High School Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) teacher Eilis Petrosino has been doing for as long as she can remember.

Leading an array of courses that offer students access to hands-on experiences that not only prepare them for life after high school but also open doors to different interests and career paths, Petrosino dreams of the space and resources to make her programming all that it can be.

“The awesome part of my job in Millbrook is that I’m given the freedom to bring as much to the table for our students as I can,” she said. “The only limitation at this point is our facilities.”

Outdated infrastructure has long been a hurdle for educational institutions, and Millbrook is no exception. Traditional setups hinder collaboration and fail to keep pace with rapid advancements in the world of education, leaving teachers like Petrosino feeling restricted in their ability to provide the instruction that they strive for.

The district’s response? A capital project that includes extensive plans to revamp classrooms that have remained virtually unchanged for nearly six decades. With a focus on collaborative library spaces, tech laboratories, science labs and family consumer science classrooms, MCSD is working to address longstanding challenges while ushering in a new era of dynamic, inclusive learning environments in its proposed capital project.

Middle school librarian Cathie Morton also emphasized the need for more inspiring and functional spaces. In addition to running library classes, she also leads the school’s Makerspace, a collaborative workshop where classes come together to create, explore, and learn using shared resources and equipment. Students have access to art and crafting materials, as well as equipment that helps them learn coding and robotics – however, even though Morton manages to offer a robust program, she laments the small space and lack of storage options.

“One of the most important things about this program is that kids who might not otherwise have access to certain materials and equipment are able to come and enjoy them barrier-free,” she said. “I do as much as I can with what I have now, but imagine what we could offer them with more.”

The proposed improvements, including enhanced library and collaboration spaces, upgraded technology and science labs, a greenhouse for expanded agricultural learning, revamped FACS classrooms and optimized outdoor spaces promise significant benefits for students, teachers and the broader community.

Assistant Superintendent of Instruction and Community Relations Dr. Amy Watkins outlined these benefits during three capital project information sessions throughout the months of February and March. Open to the public, these events gathered Millbrook community members eager to learn about the details of the proposed capital improvements in the district.

“Part of our work in the district, and the middle school in particular, is to expose our students to what’s possible,” Dr. Watkins said. “Are you into engineering? Do you want to learn more about gardening or agriculture? Science? Art? Students are able to ask themselves these questions when they know what’s possible, and these improvements will help us provide that.”

Some may be surprised to learn about one of the aspects of the capital project: restoring a historic gazebo located on the campus at Elm Drive Elementary School. Over 100 years old, the structure is in desperate need of restoration – a goal that a group of community members, the “Friends of the Gazebo,” have been striving to reach for a number of years. Despite their efforts the project can’t be completely funded without the district’s help.

Elm Drive Principal Alicia O’Connell said that the project will not only be beneficial for Millbrook students, but also the community at large.

“We have such an amazing outdoor space, and we want to take advantage of that not only for outdoor learning opportunities like gardening and providing more time for students to be out in the fresh air, but also to invite the public to enjoy,” she said. “The gazebo is certainly a historical staple in Millbrook and I hope we can bring it to life both for our students and the community.”

The "Millbrook Millionaires" baseball team in front of the

Elm Drive gazebo in its heyday.

CLICK HERE for more information on our Capital Project!

Don't Forget:

Interested in registering your child at Millbrook?

CLICK HERE for our student registration page!

Summer Scholars Registration

The Summer Scholars Registration form is now open! The Summer Scholars Program is designed to continue the acquisition of literacy and numeracy usage in order to prevent a slide in skills that can typically be attributed to a break from learning and practice. This program is not mandatory and it is free of charge to families. The schedule will be Monday - Thursday, July 1 - August 8, 8 - 11 am. (Please note there will be no session on July 4th.)

Click here to register!

(If you are registering more than one child, please submit a separate form for each child.) The program is open to students entering Kindergarten through 9th grade.

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Millbrook Central School District

PO Box AA/43 Alden Place

Millbrook, NY 12545