<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2M3k5U_0viARuCH00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2M3k5U_0viARuCH00" width="1763" height="1175" ><figcaption>Buy Now Wolverine designs cover some of the new furniture in the South O’Brien Junior/Senior High School commons area. Mikaela Mackey mmackey@iowainformation.com</figcaption></figure>PAULLINA—The lunch area gives off a new sense of South O’Brien Junior/Senior High School pride with the addition of Wolverine-themed tables and chairs.The $100,000 purchase includes four cafe high-tops with four seats a piece, four rectangular high-tops with eight seats each, two oblong tables seating 12, four round tables with eight seats, six booths and tables, a condiment cart, cashier stand and curved bench.“Updating the face of South O’Brien brings several benefits to the community school system including an enhanced learning environment, increased community engagement, improved safety and accessibility, attracting new families, and boosting school pride,” said principal Denise Phillips.The South O’Brien School District Board of Education approved the dollar amount in April. Much of the furniture arrived the second week of August, allowing students to begin school with the new decor. The only missing piece was the booth setup, which arrived on Sept. 4.Updating school furniture has not only bettered students’ quality access to ergonomics; the purchase has uniquely risen community morale.“Several faculty members have commented on how the furniture has really enhanced the look of the space,” Phillips said. “Students have been excited about the flexibility and variety of seating choices and have stated more conversations are happening during lunch due to the more intimate seating options.”The start-of-school addition has allowed students to appreciate the new school furniture before major school changes come to fruition.<img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1XyFCm_0viARuCH00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1XyFCm_0viARuCH00" width="1763" height="1175" >South O’Brien School District is in the construction-phase of a $25.9 million bond project, which was approved in March 2023 by nearly 62 percent of voters. The project includes the addition of a science wing and elevator, an agricultural wing and greenhouse, an industrial arts wing, an auxiliary gym with two full-size basketball courts and seating, a community fitness center, a new administrative office suite, renovated locker rooms, new parking and more — just at the high school. Elementary additions include a renovated gym to make it more performing-arts friendly and other interior renovations.Superintendent Wade Riley told the board at its meeting on Monday evening that everything seems to be on track.“We are optimistic; the last home football game is our goal to try to have them use the locker room,” Riley said. “I don’t know if we’re going to make it, but that’s our goal. We’ve got to have goals when we have projects like this, but they look really awesome.”So far, the gym roof has been raised and is fit for volleyball matches, the concessions building is up and running by the football field, the new outdoor scoreboard is installed, and construction on the boys’ locker rooms will remain a priority to meet Riley’s hopeful deadline. But in the meantime, the district highlights how much there is to already celebrate.“I know during the first match, I was sitting there, and I was counting how many balls that a year ago, ‘Oops, that would have been off the ceiling; Oops, that would have been off the ceiling.’ There were numerous balls that were playable, so that was kudos to get that going,” said board member Beth Sibenaller-Woodall. “There was a lot of positive things in those first matches that we all have to keep in mind, in my opinion. It looked fresh, the athletes were playing a game and didn’t have to worry about the ball shooting off the ceiling.”</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

South O'Brien updates furniture, more

PAULLINA—The lunch area gives off a new sense of South O’Brien Junior/Senior High School pride with the addition of Wolverine-themed tables and chairs. The $100,000 purchase includes four cafe high-tops with four seats a piece, four rectangular high-tops with eight seats each, two oblong tables seating 12, four round tables with eight seats, six booths and tables, a condiment cart, cashier stand and curved bench.