From Kristle Lawrence
ACBOE
On Friday, April 28 Prattville Junior High School hosted community members and stakeholders to celebrate the grand opening of the newly renovated PJHS Library Media Center with the addition of the PJHS Garden and Outdoor Learning Space.
Visitors to PJHS represented community groups, individuals, local school board members, elected officials, and other contributors who partnered with PJHS to make these much needed improvements happen. Through these partnerships, PJHS solicited and received approximately $117,000 in grants, donations, and additional support for these projects combined.
Representative Kelvin Lawrence was recognized for his essential role in obtaining funding for the library renovation along with the Autauga County Board of Education for their replacing of the existing flooring. Prior to this renovation, the library had not received updates since its construction in 1996/97. After the flooring installation, new shelves were purchased and installed along with all new collaborative seating elements.
The Legacy Foundation, Guardian Credit Union, the Autauga County Education Foundation were recognized for the grants supplied in the conversion of a previously unused outdoor space into a garden and outdoor learning center. This space now houses raised beds currently planted as a component of the 8 grade Health class’s nutrition unit, the beginnings of a Monarch Butterfly Waystation, a worm composting bin, and custom ADA complaint seating elements constructed by Eagle Scout, John Bradley Bulger.
The faculty, staff, administration, and students of PJHS are extremely proud of and grateful for these new additions and look forward to the opportunities these spaces will open up for for current and future students.
