New PSL school prepares to open doors

By MARGOT SUSCA
PORT ST. LUCIE — The administration building's metal roof is bright red, but don't confuse West Gate K-8 with any old school house.

From groundbreaking to grand opening in just 10 months, St. Lucie County school leaders are celebrating the near completion of the high-technology school slated to open for 1,450 students in August.

Costs were more than originally planned, including a $100,000 increase for interior lighting to "improve student learning," school district Chief Financial Officer Tim Bargeron said.
With adjustments made and finishing touches in the works, Proctor Construction plans to turn the keys over to Principal Robert Cranmer in less than three weeks.

"People ask me 'What are you waiting for?'" Cranmer said. "It's the first day of school when I can walk through the classrooms and see the kids learning."

To facilitate that learning, Cranmer tapped 100 educators, some from as far away as Michigan and New Jersey, who are well versed in using digital tools to boost student success.

Cranmer, an educator for 36 years, says change towards computer-heavy, technology-based learning is essential to motivating and reaching children.

Last week, as 200 workers buzzed, hammered and painted, Cranmer toured the site pointing out wires in the ceiling that will eventually be outfitted with digital cameras, a kind of 21st Century take on the overhead projector.

The entire site offers wireless Internet access.
Classrooms are centered around a joint work space that can be walled off or shared by multiple teachers for speakers or a movie viewing.

The school's teacher- planning areas also are considered an innovation. Gone are the single-space rooms where teachers go to grade homework or prepare exams.

At West Gate, rooms with six-person conference tables will serve as planning stations, an effort Cranmer says is geared toward getting staff working together.

"We want to build collegial communities like corporations do," Cranmer said. "You keep working as a staff and as a staff you get better and better."

Teachers can map out one child's needs there or create a seamless transition for first and second graders on entire subjects like reading or writing.

The school, decked out inside in hues of blue, coral and yellow, also has plenty of windows to let in natural light.

It's the second K-8 to open in as many years — Oak Hammock opened last summer — and one of two sites opening in August under the revised student assignment system.
Treasure Coast High School also is scheduled to open at Darwin and Tulip boulevards in August.

West Gate K-8

Projected cost: $38.4 million, about $800,000 above original estimate.
Size: 225,000 square feet on 19 acres between Cashmere Boulevard and Florida's Turnpike.
Enrollment: First year 1,450 students; eventually 1,600.
Staff: 100 teachers, one principal, two assistant principals.
Extra use: Joint auditorium/cafeteria withstands 170 mph winds to serve as a public hurricane shelter for up to 500.

What parents need to know
• Beginning July 19, parents of children in grades 6, 7 and 8 assigned to West Gate K-8 should go there to choose electives.
• Parents of kindergarten through fifth-grade children should go to the school to register.
• On July 19, the main school phone number should be active and parents can call for more information: (772) 807-7600.