At Thomas Jefferson Middle School, just 50 feet from where the new additions will take place, Fair Lawn School District held a groundbreaking ceremony for the additions and renovations at three district schools. Attended by district officials, students, parents, and the LAN design team, the event celebrated a momentous step in the district’s storied history.
As the district grows, the schools needed to adapt in order to accommodate the increase in enrollment at the middle school level. At Thomas Jefferson Middle School (TJMS), a new two-story addition will provide the district an additional 14 classrooms, while Memorial Middle School (MMS) added 9 new classrooms. In total, these additions will give the schools enough room for an additional 500-plus students.
“I am beyond thrilled to see this vision become a reality,” said Fair Lawn Superintendent, Nick Norcia. “I cannot thank the Fair Lawn community enough for their continued support. This is another reminder of what a great, supportive community we have here at Fair Lawn Public Schools. With construction beginning on TJMS and MMS, and capital improvements to Fair Lawn High School, we continue to dedicate ourselves to working hard to provide the best school experience possible for our students.”
To offer students multi-disciplinary learning methods, STEAM labs were added to both schools. These classrooms will create an innovative learning environment, offering students a hands-on experience in the fields of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. A new multi-purpose room at TJMS and media center at MMS will also give students another opportunity to expand their education in non-traditional ways.
“The flexibility of the classrooms and STEAM labs will provide the district personalized outlets for education, maximizing engagement which is proven to increase student performance,” said Stephen Secora, Vice President of LAN and project manager for the district. “These additions will benefit the Fair Lawn community for years to come.”
In March of 2018, the community voted in favor of the $25 million referendum for the district. The bond also includes the installation of new air conditioning units at Fair Lawn High School, Thomas Jefferson Middle School, and Memorial Middle School. The projects are expected to be completed by September 2020.
