The construction was divided into three phases in order to bring more flexibility to the project time-line.

Phase One includes completion of 20,000 square foot building expansion, finishing of welcoming entrance, new administration offices, and seven new classrooms.  This construction was completed in September of 2009.  We give thanks to God for his faithfulness and for the many people who stepped forward to make this dream a reality.

Phase Two includes finishing of a new 1,200 square foot library and five new classrooms on second floor of the building expansion.

Phase Three includes renovations to several classrooms in the old building and addition of a permanent stage for school dramas.

The Building Plan

The most important goal of those responsible for developing the building plan was to provide facilities and resources needed to enable  a child-centered education that meets the needs of our students.   Our goal is for the new school building to nurture a sense of school community and to further enhance student learning by allowing for adequate space and technology, more scheduling flexibility, and more options for expanding the creative and quality educational instruction.

Building Design

We want the school to be a welcoming place for the entire school and community, including children, parents, staff, and visitors.

Classrooms

� Classrooms for grades one through eight (new addition)

Several classrooms will be part of the new addition. The classrooms will be large enough  to allow for active learning.   Science labs will be added and plenty of storage space will be a priority.

� Computer lab (current building renovation)

The new plan will make room for a separate computer lab that will allow for more scheduling.

� Art room (current building renovation)

Students in grade one through grade eight have art instruction once a week.  A large room with plenty of workspace and storage space is a necessity.  A small room that will include a kiln for drying students' pottery will be added.

� Music room (current building renovation)

Kindergarten through grade eight students receive music instruction twice a week.  Hinkletown Mennonite School has a middle school choir and provides individual instrumental instruction.    A larger room in the current building will become available for the music instruction.

� Library Media Center (new addition)

The Library Media Center is an important hub for students at HMS. In 1999, the media center was automated and connected with more Internet capabilities.  The new location for the media center will be large enough to accommodate the different activities such as checking out books, conducting library information skills classes, and doing research for class papers.  The media center will be large enough to provide space for several groups to do instruction and/or research activities at the same time. The renovation will also allow for more shelf space for an ever-increasing number of books.

Administrative Offices (current building renovation)

The administrative offices have been consolidated in a new area of the old building next to the new entrance.    The new area includes offices for:

� the principal, receptionist and bookkeeper

� the development director

� the curriculum coordinator

� a staff workroom with office machines such as a copier, fax machine, book binder

� a health room near the receptionist area for sick children waiting for parents.

� Stage (current building renovation)

A stage will be installed in the gymnasium for our annual middle school theatrical productions as well as for other assemblies and groups that need a stage.  The area to south of the stage could be used as a dressing room and storage area.  Lighting and sound facilities will also be improved.  Currently a stage must be erected for each production, and the space is barely adequate.  The current sound system is quite poor and frequently does not work properly.

School Grounds Improvements

� Parking lot

The parking lot has been improved to include more parking for cars and buses, as the present space is not adequate for parking on a day-to-day basis and especially for evening programs.

� Soccer/Softball fields

The fields have been graded to provide level and standard playing fields.  Soccer, baseball, and softball teams share the current field.