From Dec. 10–12, construction for a new Special Services office was completed in the Dr. Barbara Sapienza Memorial Library of Pascack Valley High School.
The construction included the installation of floor-to-ceiling glass panels, along with a sliding door. The office is not operational yet, but will be soon, according to Pascack Valley Principal John Puccio.
Despite how quickly the construction finished, preparations to build this space started taking shape about a year ago.
“We needed more space in some areas,” Puccio said, while describing the initial thought process behind the project. “So I wanted to provide our special education teachers with more office space… Sometimes, they’ll have two or three students in their office, and it’s really tight.”
Dr. Jonathan Hesney, Director of Special Services for the Pascack Valley Regional High School District, shared his remarks on how the space will better help the students: “Teachers working with students one-on-one [in a quiet space] sometimes really helps to zero in on some of the challenges they may have.”
According to Puccio, the choice of glass over a material like drywall was a strategic move for the future. By using glass, the space remains versatile. Right now, the glass is being covered in a privacy film so those inside can work undisturbed, but, in the future, if the need for a second office becomes obsolete, the film can easily be peeled off.
“Let’s just say [we need to use the space for] a tutoring session or a small Writing Center area. Well, we just take the film off, and… we could still supervise what’s going on right in the Media Center, and it still looks like an open area,” Puccio said.
Although the construction project was seemingly small, there were numerous guidelines the school had to follow in order to get it done. For example, fire alarms and smoke detectors had to be moved by a completely different company from the company that put up the wall in order to follow the fire code.
Administrators also ensured that the Dr. Barbara Sapienza Memorial within the library remained intact, preserving the significance of the space while the new office was constructed.
Despite logistical challenges, the project moved forward smoothly and will offer support to those involved with special education. Once operational, the space will ease overcrowding and provide a more functional environment for the department.
