Branded Content Archives - سԹ /category/featured-articles/branded-content/ Design - Construction - Operations Mon, 21 Jul 2025 17:24:41 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 /wp-content/uploads/2026/01/cropped-SCN_favicon-32x32.png Branded Content Archives - سԹ /category/featured-articles/branded-content/ 32 32 Building Accessibility and Inclusivity into Playspaces /2025/07/24/building-accessibility-and-inclusivity-into-playspaces/ Thu, 24 Jul 2025 14:00:42 +0000 /?p=54072 Photo: Moore has worked on projects of all sizes across the country for schools as well as communities, including the world’s largest inclusive playground, Park Circle in Charleston, S.C. | Photo Credit: Courtesy of Landscape Structures By Lindsey Coulter Jill Moore is an inclusive play specialist with Landscape Structures, a playground manufacturer based in Delano,...

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Photo: Moore has worked on projects of all sizes across the country for schools as well as communities, including the world’s largest inclusive playground, Park Circle in Charleston, S.C. | Photo Credit: Courtesy of Landscape Structures

By Lindsey Coulter

Moore notes that when children spin or swing or engage in motion, they’re developing a sense of motion, movement and bodily awareness.
Moore notes that when children spin or swing or engage in motion, they’re developing a sense of motion, movement and bodily awareness.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Landscape Structures

Jill Moore is an inclusive play specialist with Landscape Structures, a playground manufacturer based in Delano, Minn. She is also a wheelchair user who uses her lived experiences to help develop more innovative, informed and inclusive playground designs. Or rather, she’s used her childhood experience of not being able to access and enjoy most playgrounds to be an advocate for spaces that welcome all.

“When we build for inclusion, we’re saying who we value,” Moore said. “When I see an inclusive playground, I feel welcome there. Someone has thought of me and decided that I matter and have something to add.”

Moore has worked on projects of all sizes across the country for schools as well as communities, including the world’s largest inclusive playground, Park Circle in Charleston, S.C. She helps clients to consider play structures and equipment as well as who they are designing for and what play opportunities would best align with their community’s needs.

Moore spoke with سԹ about what makes for a successful project, how clients can shift their approaches to make spaces even more welcoming and the common recommendations that can help any play space be more inclusive.

Is there a general definition or criteria for what makes a play area or play equipment accessible and inclusive?

Moore: Yes and no. The ADA guidelines for children’s play spaces were written in 2000, and in 2010 those guidelines became law, but they are the bare minimum. We’ve never really defined inclusion with a check box, because as soon as you give it a check box people adhere to the minimum. For example, inclusive playground design for me could look very different from inclusive design for a child with autism. While there is no official governing body that is giving a stamp of approval, there are a ton of best practices that designers can use to make a playground inclusive.

Historically, how have play spaces inadvertently excluded children with disabilities?

The company’s We-Go-Round is an inclusive spinner for children who seek more motion and thrill.
The company’s We-Go-Round is an inclusive spinner for children who seek more motion and thrill.
Photo Credit: Mike Bigalke
Mike Bigalke

Moore: Even after ADA compliance you could go to an ADA-compliant play space, and someone like me wouldn’t necessarily be able to do anything on that playground. For example, Engineered Wood Fiber is considered “accessible”, but maneuvering a wheelchair through it is impossible, as loose-fill materials are hard to push through. So, it’s considering how a kid moves through a space; if they use their energy just to navigate the playground rather than actually playing on it. It’s considering children who use mobility devices, but it goes much further. For example, playgrounds are usually loud, busy places with lots of sensory stimulation and sometimes complex play components that require a lot of motor coordination. This could exclude kids with autism or ADHD who are easily overstimulated, are working on their motor coordination or are developing those skills at a different pace.

Why is it important to shift away from the medical model of disability and toward the social model? 

Moore: The medical model of disability puts all the fault on the user. If we build exclusively, we’re saying ‘It’s your fault you can’t access this due your needs and abilities being different or more complex.’

In the social model, however, we’re saying it’s the environment that needs to change so that you can be your best self. When I was a kid I hated the playground, but there was a massive difference between my peers not wanting to play with me and me not being able to play. The social model says everyone is meant to be here; it doesn’t blame anyone or call them out for whatever their needs may be.

How can inclusive play spaces benefit all users? 

Moore: It’s hard to pinpoint what “inclusive” means because everyone needs different things. When you say “inclusive design” most people assume that means designing for people with disabilities, but we’re designing for everyone because play is important for everyone. That’s where we learn fundamental cognitive, physical, sensory and social skills. When we climb on things, use our muscles, run around, push on things—which are all so inherent to play—we are developing sensory systems that allow us to also do things like cut construction paper, open doors and communicate. When we spin or swing or engage in motion, we’re developing our sense of movement and bodily awareness. We need those fundamentals if we’re going to be successful with day-to-day life and activities.

What are some immediate and cost-effective ways that clients can redevelop or renovate existing play spaces to be more inclusive?

The best thing to do is get a clear understanding of who you’re designing for and who you are serving. You might not need to spend money on a ramp if your ability demographic isn’t as focused on physical disabilities, but you could include a climbing device with different skill-level routes that would meet a variety of needs—or a spinner to provide regulation for a child who seeks out that sensory experience.

Anchorage Alaska’s State of Play initiative is a helpful example. It’s a methodology for becoming a more inclusive park system that rated all public parks, Level 1 is the most inclusive and Level 4 is for play spaces that didn’t even meet ADA standards. They tackled the list over time, and from 2006 through now, they’ve become a really inclusive parks system through retrofits, phasing, adding inclusive features as budget allows, etc.

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A Seamless Solution: Combining Security and Fire-Rated Glazing for Safer Schools /2025/07/14/mcgrory-glass-combining-security-fire-rated-glazing-for-safer-schools/ Mon, 14 Jul 2025 17:50:18 +0000 /?p=54026 At McGrory Glass, we specialize in integrated glazing solutions that bring together security and fire protection in a single system.

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Caption: At Grandville Middle School, McGrory Glass’ DefendEd™ and FireDefend™ glazing systems were chosen not just for their life-safety performance but also for their clarity and ability to allow natural light to pass through interior walls to maximize visibility throughout the building. Photo Credit (all): Jason Keen

Contributed by McGrory Glass

In today’s world, school safety isn’t optional—it’s essential. School designs must meet rigorous life-safety codes while still supporting open, welcoming architecture. For years, utilizing protective glazing systems meant compromising on aesthetics, natural light or design intent. Now, that compromise is no longer necessary.

Advancements in glazing technology allow architects, specifiers, and school districts to meet strict security and fire-rating requirements—without sacrificing clarity, daylight or design vision. At McGrory Glass, we specialize in integrated glazing solutions that bring together security and fire protection in a single system, supporting both safety and aesthetics.

A Real-World Example: Sunlit Safety at Grandville Middle School

At Grandville Middle School, McGrory Glass supplied both its DefendEd™ laminated security glazing and FireDefend™fire-rated security glazing to help create a bright, secure environment for students and staff.
At Grandville Middle School, McGrory Glass supplied both its DefendEd™ laminated security glazing and FireDefend™
fire-rated security glazing to help create a bright, secure environment for students and staff.

Architects, specifiers, and school districts often face the challenge of bringing enough daylight into schools and universities while still meeting strict security and fire-rating requirements. When daylighting is poorly integrated into school design, the consequences go far beyond dim hallways or shadowed classrooms. Inadequate exposure to natural light can disrupt students’ sleep cycles, weaken immune systems and increase the risk of vitamin D deficiency.

The effects extend to mental health as well. Limited daylight has been linked to elevated stress, lowered mood and symptoms of depression. For students and educators who spend most of their day indoors, lack of natural light can lead to reduced focus, increased fatigue and decreased overall performance ().

That’s why glazing choices matter. At Grandville Middle School, McGrory Glass’ ™ and ™ glazing systems were chosen not just for their life-safety performance, but also for their clarity and ability to allow natural light to pass through interior walls to maximize visibility throughout the building. These systems empower designers to meet the highest standards of safety without sacrificing the daylighting essential to student wellness, learning and school culture.

McGrory Glass supplied both our DefendEd™ laminated security glazing and FireDefend™ fire-rated security glazing to help create a bright, secure environment for students and staff.

™ is designed to resist forced entry, even after being weakened by bullets, and prevent an attempted intruder from gaining access into an unauthorized space. This project was especially unique in that many of the secured interior areas also required a fire rating to meet building code. The result was the inclusion of our FireDefend™ series, which combines our security glazing with our fire-rated glazing in a single construction,” said Erin Bellis, senior manager of security products and specifications at McGrory Glass.

The ™ and ™ series also contribute to anti-bullying initiatives by providing transparency through otherwise long expanses of opaque wall, thus creating fewer places to interact without surveillance.

Common Challenges When Combining Codes

Historically, school buildings were designed with minimal glass, often using unattractive or unsafe materials like wired glass for fire protection. Design trends have shifted to prioritize aesthetics, natural light and enhanced safety. Integrated solutions are now available from single sources, streamlining the process and improving overall system compatibility. Glazing that provides both security protection and fire protection didn’t exist two decades ago. Schools traditionally had to sacrifice one to include the other.

One of the main challenges in modern school safety is choosing a glazing solution that is certified and tested to perform to all criteria that the district desires, including safety, security and fire-protection when applicable.

Chad Snyder, senior director of aecurity aystems at McGrory Glass, explained, “Our team fabricates a full portfolio of ballistic and attack-resistant glazing that is third-party tested to meet the highest current standards. Because security requirements aren’t mandated by building code, there’s a lot of confusion in the market. Many initially default to repackaged impact-safety film solutions, thinking they’re faster and cheaper, but that often comes at the cost of performance in real-world emergencies.”

As noted in , another key concern is that added polymers or plastics in a fire-rated system can unintentionally fuel a fire.

“Fortunately,” Snyder added, “advancements in materials and extensive research and development have made it possible to combine fire-rated and security glazing. Every time we integrate these systems, we conduct new testing to ensure the security enhancements don’t compromise fire performance.”

Aesthetic Innovation: High Performance with Minimal Compromises

McGrory Glass offers integrated glazing solutions that combine code compliance with cutting-edge design and performance. These innovative systems meet rigorous safety standards while enabling privacy, branding and even additional layers of protection. They can also be converted to insulating glass units with high performance coatings when used in exterior applications.

Specialty fire-rated and security-rated glazing products can now include graphic interlayers and privacy treatments, such as frosted or translucent finishes, that reduce visibility while allowing some daylight to pass through. For sensitive areas like front entrances, administrative offices, or internal corridors, one-way vision options provide discreet protection—allowing faculty or security personnel to see through the glazing from inside the protected areas but blocking an unwanted intruder’s ability to see inside that occupied space.

As a leader in both decorative and life safety glazing, McGrory Glass is uniquely equipped to integrate the best of both into one solution that satisfies all of the requirements from each architect and school district.

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Where to Buy Custom Color Surfacing Materials for Playgrounds /2025/05/08/where-to-buy-custom-color-surfacing-materials-for-playgrounds/ Thu, 08 May 2025 14:00:35 +0000 /?p=53786 Discover where you can buy custom color surfacing materials for playgrounds and explore factors to consider before partnering with a provider.

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Photo: Hickory Lane Inclusive Playground in Jackson, Wis., includes surfacing materials that are reminiscent of a beach to complement the playground’s theme.

By Soft Play

Creating a safe and inclusive school playground is paramount for productive playtime. Custom color surfacing materials enhance a play area’s visual appeal and provide safety. Kids will look forward to recess and parents will appreciate having a safe place to take their children after hours.

Discover where you can buy custom color surfacing materials for playgrounds and explore factors to consider before partnering with a provider.

1. No Fault Surfaces

An inclusive playground with colorful equipment.
The inclusive Red Oak Park Playground in Burnsville, Minn., welcomes kids of all abilities, offering thoughtfully designed play structures and surfacing materials.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of No Fault

has been providing safe and secure surfaces since 1974. It developed the first poured-in-place rubber safety flooring, making it one of the best custom-color surfacing materials providers for playgrounds. Almost all of the company’s products contain recycled materials, most of which are eligible for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) credits.

to create your custom color blend of poured-in-place rubber flooring and have it sent along with your quote request.

Key features:

  • Offers two types of poured-in-place surfacing: ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) and thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPV)
  • سԹ a five-year warranty for poured-in-place floorings
  • Enables choosing colors or getting recommendations from staff based on project specifications
  • Provides long-lasting warranty coverage
  • Requires minimal routine maintenance

2. Landscape Structures

offers various playground items, from equipment to surfacing solutions. It has championed environmental stewardship since 1998. Its team understands that good design matters in play quality, allowing you to embed various colors and shapes into your desired surfacing material. Regardless of your playground size, expect to get a personalized approach throughout the entire process. to compare different flooring options.

Key features:

  • Champions sustainable practices in every project
  • Has in-house, experienced designers to create your dream playground surfacing
  • Offers 70 distinct color palettes and hundreds of color combinations
  • Allows multiple surfacing types in a single playground

3. FlexGround

is an International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association-certified (IPEMA) provider specializing in playground flooring, splash pads, athletic courts, recreational trails and aquatic parks. Its poured-in-place rubber safety surfacing can be customized with various patterns, colors and your school logo and is available in six types: standard, EnduraFlec, UltraFlex, Xtreme Playground, FlexPlay and FlexBond.

Choose UltraFlex if quality is your main deciding factor, as its two-layer system can protect students using swings and high-impact playground equipment.

Key features:

  • Has six types of customizable poured-in-place options
  • Offers a comprehensive color chart
  • Designs playgrounds that create a three-dimensional play experience for students
  • Transforms flat surfaces into multilevel play experiences

4. Little Tikes Commercial

A colorfully lit dinosaur themed playground.
Mountain America Jurassic Jungle in Lehi, Utah, is a dinosaur-themed indoor playground designed to engage, educate and excite visitors of all ages.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Soft Play

Consider if you’re building a school playground from scratch. You can buy custom color surfacing material and equipment for your play area that’s compliant with Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines, prioritizing accessibility and inclusivity in every project.

If you don’t know where to start, Little Tikes Commercial staff can guide you through the various surfacing options and their age-appropriateness. Custom color options are available for No Fault® Poured-in-Place surfacing, rubber tiles and rubber nuggets.

Key features:

  • Offers big sales
  • Considers age-appropriateness when suggesting ideal surfacing materials
  • Allows customization on various flooring materials

5. Play & Park Structures

Purposeful play is at the heart of , a Chattanooga, Tenn.-based playground equipment provider servicing schools, parks and recreation centers, faith-based institutions and landscape architects. It specializes in designing playgrounds to support early development and growth among preschoolers, making it an ideal option if your institution mainly caters to this age group. Among its surfacing material options, only poured rubber, shredded rubber and tile flooring allow customization.

Key features:

  • Prioritizes inclusive play
  • Offers various thicknesses to provide your desired impact attenuation
  • Lets you add logos and simple games like hopscotch and tic-tac-toe on poured-in-place rubber

6. Northwest Playground Equipment Inc.

The family-owned business has been providing playground since 1996. It has worked with various elementary schools, creating inclusive and ADA-compliant play areas. The company also works with manufacturers with LEED certifications to support your school’s sustainability efforts.

Safety tiles and poured-in-place rubber offer plenty of design and color options, allowing you to create an aesthetically pleasing play area for students.

Key features:

  • Offers loose fill and unitary surfacing
  • Has color options and landscape features or hills for playground grass
  • Provides a free site evaluation
  • Employs professionals who can create interactive designs, provide on-site supervision and dedicate long-term support

Things to Consider When Choosing a Custom Color Surfacing Material

How do you know which surfacing material is right for your school? Here are some factors to consider before making a purchase.

Safety

Choose a provider that meets the fall protection standards of a certified playground safety inspector. Ensure your chosen surfacing material is fully tested for various fall heights to reduce the risk of injuries among students.

Accessibility

The ADA states that playground surfacing options must accommodate all individuals, including those using crutches and wheelchairs. Look for a provider that meets or exceeds ADA’s regulatory standards.

Durability and Maintenance Needs

School playground surfacing must be durable to handle regular use and easy to maintain to reduce the spread of disease-causing germs.

Customization

Work with a company that can turn your vision into reality. Prioritize a provider with a design team that can help make your school playground visually appealing without compromising safety. Consider incorporating educational designs like alphabets, maps, numbers and interactive games to transform your play area into a learning space.

 

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Boost School Potential With Pliable Learning Spaces /2025/03/10/boost-school-potential-with-pliable-learning-spaces/ Mon, 10 Mar 2025 22:34:44 +0000 /?p=53478 The ability to adapt learning spaces to the day’s needs is a vital function of modern-day schools. Versatility has become a mandatory feature for K-12 school districts and higher education campuses everywhere.

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The ability to adapt learning spaces to the day’s needs is a vital function of modern-day schools. Versatility has become a mandatory feature for K-12 school districts and higher education campuses everywhere.

But what can education leaders do to create versatility in their facility if a new construction project or a remodel is not affordable?

When a large-scale project isn’t an option, Spacesaver Corporation’s Flexible Shelving units allow schools to maximize the utilization of both existing and new facilities, emphasizing adaptability and multiple functionalities.

For example, what if a facility also needs to serve as a community center or public space after school hours?

The Advantages of Adaptability

Flexible Shelving units offer a tailored solution for school facilities of all shapes and sizes. With the capability of static shelving but with the versatility of moving storage, this fully configurable solution comes in a variety of sizes and shelving types to fit all the items that users need to store.

Designed to allow for easy reconfiguration, these sleek units promote multi-use space as Flexible Shelving units may be relocated effortlessly.

Maximizing space in any area of a school, Flexible Shelving units are perfect for many tasks, and the best part is that they can be easily moved to different spots as space and use needs change. The units, offered in single-faced and double-faced options and multiple dimensions, are customizable with the style of shelving needed in each location to accommodate a variety of materials while maintaining an attractive display.

Spacesaver’s Cantilever Flexible Shelving provides a versatile and efficient solution for various storage needs. By harnessing traditional library shelving and a variety of modern options, Cantilever Flexible Shelving provides easy accessibility and organization throughout a school building.

Also available with 4-Post Flexible Shelving, both shelving styles allow educators to create configurable storage spaces for their schools that encourage browsing, provide storage and offer prominent displays. Spacesaver Flexible Shelving units include several choices regarding maneuverability.

At Harper College in Palatine, Ill., for example, the school’s planning team wanted to provide casual collaboration spaces on the library’s main level, along with access to popular periodicals, digital media and other materials. Counter-height cantilever shelving contributed to the open feel, allowing natural light from large windows to fill the space. By utilizing Flexible Shelving units, the staff could move them when they needed to repurpose the space.

“We observed how the students used the spaces. The movable shelving allowed us to reconfigure several areas on the second floor to reduce group seating and mitigate loud conversation, while still promoting collaboration,” said Njambi Kamoche, dean of Resources for Learning, Harper College.

Caster Considerations

A popular option is Flexible Shelving with concealed caster bases, which give the appearance of stationary shelves with the flexibility to relocate these units to make room for other activities. This option seamlessly blends into other design elements and utilizes the weight of stored items to keep units stationary when patrons are browsing. However, they remain agile so that faculty and staff can maneuver them to a new location when necessary.

Flexible Shelving units featuring exposed caster bases with locking mechanisms are an excellent option to ensure shelving is not moved unintentionally, promoting safety in areas such as K-12 school libraries. The shelving units can still be relocated by staff to create space for other activities, including guest speakers, makerspaces projects, collaboration and community events.

The versatile spaces made possible by Flexible Shelving units remain attractive thanks to the unit’s dazzling aesthetics.

Personalize with School Pride

With a sleek finish, the shelves are durable and visually appealing, adding to the aesthetic of any room. Thanks to its functional design for adaptable use, Spacesaver’s Flexible Shelving offers customizable end-panel finishes such as laminate, wood, acrylic and resin. The ability to personalize end panels or top panels allows school districts to create a cohesive and complementary look that matches their aesthetic preferences.

Connect with Us

Architecture and the creation of highly functional interior spaces have the ability to give schools a top-notch look and ensure students continue to thrive. For more than 50 years, Spacesaver has been a trusted partner in helping higher-education institutions plan and design effective learning spaces. Our network of local distributors offers space planning expertise, product installation, and ongoing service and maintenance by factory-certified technicians.

Visit for more information.

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REHAU RAUPEX Pipe System Helps Meet the Challenge of 193 Different Heat Zones in New School Building /2024/07/11/rehau-raupex-pipe-system-backed-by-expert-design-services-helps-meet-the-challenge-of-193-different-heat-zones-in-new-school-building-delivering-comfortable-and-efficient-radiant-heat/ Thu, 11 Jul 2024 13:10:56 +0000 /?p=52745 Backed by Expert Design Services—Helps Meet the Challenge of 193 Different Heat Zones in New School Building, Delivering Comfortable and Efficient Radiant Heating

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At 280,000 sq ft (26,013 sq m), Edward Little High School in Auburn, Maine is one of the largest high schools in the state. Thanks to architecture and engineering company Harriman Associates, the school is also one of the most comfortable and efficiently heated, with radiant floor heating provided throughout the building.

“Radiant heat is a very comfortable, very satisfying heat as compared to a forced air convection system, heating people and objects directly as opposed to blowing hot air on them,” explained Harriman principal and mechanical engineer David Story, PE, LEED AP. “It’s a lot like feeling the warmth of the sun. It’s more natural and I think people tend to feel better with it.”

In addition to the comfort aspect, the radiant heating system designed for Edward Little allows the use of much lower temperature water—about 130°F (54°C) as opposed to the 180°F (82°C) demanded by a traditional hydronic heating system using baseboards or radiators, for example. As an efficiency bonus, Harriman has designed the system to heat the water primarily through cost-effective geothermal energy, making it an ideal solution for schools where comfort and cost-efficiency are crucial.

“Radiant heating delivers this very high-quality heat at lower energy costs,” noted Story. “I think the technology is especially appropriate in a learning environment where maintaining comfort is especially important, and in a situation where spending is always under scrutiny.”

Radiant heating uses a network of specialized piping, installed strategically under the floor, to circulate warm water throughout a building. At Edward Little, Harriman selected REHAU to supply the 110,000 ft (32,528 m) of 1/2 in. RAUPEX® O2 barrier crosslinked polyethylene (PEXa) pipe in the radiant system design.

RAUPEX O2 barrier pipe was praised for its tight bend radius, robustness and UV-resistant layer, making it durable and easy to install even in challenging conditions. The complete system provided by REHAU, including fittings, connectors, manifolds, controls and accessories, contributes to consistency and reliability. The project’s contractors installed 101 PRO-BALANCE® manifolds and 445 EVERLOC+® R-20 connectors, providing a seamless installation process.

The radiant heating system at Edward Little was divided into 193 separate heating zones, each with unique requirements based on room size, shape, ceiling height and other variables. REHAU’s in-house engineering design knowledge was invaluable in managing these complexities and adapting to changes throughout the project.

Harriman Associates values their partnership with REHAU, citing the company’s high-quality products, expert support and reliability. This ongoing collaboration ensures that the radiant heating systems they design are efficient, durable and meet the high expectations of both the project team and the end users.

“When we design a building, we basically own all the issues of the building for the life of the building—that’s our reputation,” Story said. “That’s why we look for partners like REHAU. They meet our high expectations, give us good support and help us look good. We succeed together.”

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How ESSER Funds Enriched Sturgis Public Schools /2024/05/16/how-esser-funds-enriched-sturgis-public-schools/ Thu, 16 May 2024 19:46:54 +0000 /?p=52590 Sturgis Public Schools used ESSER funds to purchase furniture from VS. Now they can easily create groupings to meet the lesson at hand, the students have more ownership of the space, and custodians are happy that they can clean the spaces much quicker. 

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Sturgis Public Schools used ESSER funds to purchase furniture from VS. Now they can easily create groupings to meet the lesson at hand, the students have more ownership of the space, and custodians are happy that they can clean the spaces much quicker.

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Schools have until September 30, 2024 to allocate ESSER funds. For help with funding approval or other support,reach out to VS today.

Need to Furnish a School, Classroom, or Library Fast?

VS America offers ergonomic furniture that ships within 10 days to meet current learning environment needs. QuickShip products arrive fully assembled so they can be used without delay.

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About VS America

VS America, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of educational furniture for K-12 schools, colleges, and libraries. Focused on best practices for educational facilities worldwide, VS develops adaptable, ergonomic, and sustainable furniture solutions which allow for the creation of agile learning environments. For more information, visit .

 

 

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How A District Used ESSER Funds to Transform Education /2023/10/09/how-a-district-used-esser-funds-to-transform-education/ Mon, 09 Oct 2023 11:03:38 +0000 /?p=51971 Gary Community School Corporation is a public school district in Gary, Indiana, about 25 miles southeast of Chicago.

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Gary Community School Corporation is a public school district in Gary, Indiana, about 25 miles southeast of Chicago. The district has faced many challenges, including worn-out facilities, financial struggles, and declining enrollment. With new leadership, and an influx of COVID relief (ESSER) funds, the district has made incredible strides. They’ve achieved a balanced budget, improved academic services, and now have stable enrollment. One of their major efforts was to replace the furniture in all of their aging buildings. The district chose to partner with to bring new life to their learning spaces.

“The functionality is 10x better than the outdated furniture we had before. Small group arrangements have made learning so much more accessible. Mobility has been key.”
– Mr. Derek Bodley, Assistant Principal, Gary Middle School

Q&A with Toni Mitchell, ESSER Project Manager for Gary Community Schools

How were you able to use ESSER funds towards furniture?

We used ESSER funds to purchase furniture to improve our facilities and address learning loss by increasing student engagement.

How did VS help you throughout the process?

VS helped by providing detailed documentation in their proposal about how furniture can positively affect learning.

Why did you choose VS America for your furniture?

VS brought in samples and presented the products. We conducted a survey and VS stood out to the reviewers for being able to support different types of instruction. We are very happy with our decision to purchase VS furniture. It has very positively impacted learning. The new furniture allows students to easily form different groups and collaborate effectively. VS was able to meet our timing needs perfectly to limit disruption in the schools.

Any tips you would offer to other schools who want to use ESSER funds towards furniture?

Know what you’re purchasing – do your due diligence. Think about how it can impact student learning.

Transform Your Spaces

There’s still time – schools have until September 30, 2024 to use ESSER funds. Discover how VS can help you .

About VS America

VS America, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of educational furniture for K-12 schools, colleges, and libraries. Focused on best practices for educational facilities worldwide, VS develops adaptable, ergonomic, and sustainable furniture solutions which allow for the creation of agile learning environments. For more information, visit .

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T-SLAB® Puts Tindall at the Head of the Class /2023/10/01/t-slab-puts-tindall-at-the-head-of-the-class-2/ Sun, 01 Oct 2023 11:52:32 +0000 /?p=51929 When Western Carolina University (WCU) needed a solution to increase their on-campus housing accommodations, they developed a plan for constructing three new multi-story dorm buildings.

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When Western Carolina University (WCU) needed a solution to increase their on-campus housing accommodations, they developed a plan for constructing three new multi-story dorm buildings. These structures needed substantial resiliency to stand the test of time in Cullowhee, North Carolina’s harsh, mountainous climate, but they also needed to be offered under a swift construction schedule to accommodate the university’s rapidly growing student body. With top priorities of speed, quality, and performance, WCU selected Tindall to deliver the perfect total precast solution on time and within budget — which was a challenge. But one Tindall could handle.

Their engineering expertise and responsiveness made Tindall the perfect candidate for getting this job done, and their complete team mentality while coordinating with the Vannoy Construction team allowed the crew to bring these WCU dormitories to life in just under eight months.

From day one, [Tindall’s] team worked collaboratively with Vannoy’s to make sure the project was done correctly,” said Caitlyn Jones of Vannoy Construction. “There were some learning curves on this job, but Tindall approached each obstacle with a team mentality. They cared about the overall success of the project as much as Vannoy did.

To meet the project’s aggressive construction schedule, Tindall leveraged the Tindall Superior Lightweight All-Purpose Beam (T-SLAB®) as the floor system for all three dormitories. This was a first for the system, as no other project leveraging T-SLAB had been both multi-story Իmulti-building in scope.

“I was extremely impressed by the team at Tindall and their T-SLAB system,” said Jones. “The system itself saved so much time on the project schedule, and the final buildings looked awesome.”

Utilizing this system allowed the Tindall team to cast mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) components like electrical conduits and boxes directly into the slabs, and though the process required more coordination with the project team on the front end, it helped to save on-site costs and compress the construction timeline, allowing for interior work to begin earlier than expected and cheaper than it would have been otherwise.

Additionally, total precast construction enabled early access for other trades, further accelerating the overall construction process.

“Tindall’s system provided the owner with both savings and the quick erection of the buildings, which allowed us to meet the owner’s timely schedule,” said Jones. “I don’t think any other type of construction would have allowed the project to finish on time.”

Project Details:

Specifications

  • 419,063 square feet
  • 201,220 square feet of T-SLABs
  • 3 multi-story dormitories
  • Erection start 2/15/21; Finished 10/8/21

Components

  • 1,694 precast concrete pieces
  • Insulated wall panels
  • Beams
  • T-SLABs

To bring these nearly 420,000-square-foot total precast dormitories to life, Tindall produced nearly 1,700 precast concrete components, including load-bearing insulated wall panels, columns, beams, and over 200,000 square feet of T-SLABs. The exterior of these structures featured colored concrete with repetitious horizontal reveals that perfectly complemented the post-applied stone masonry accents. By leveraging T-SLAB and working side-by-side with Vannoy’s project team, Tindall helped deliver these structures within budget and ahead of schedule.

“We had the privilege of actively working with their team for over two years,” said Jones,“and Tindall continued to be as responsive at the end of the job as they were in the beginning. I would happily work with Tindall again on another project.” 

Tindall’s work with Western Carolina University is a testament to its commitment to providing high-quality solutions. Through innovative design and time-saving measures, like the use of casting boxes and conduits in the wall and ceiling panels, Tindall was able to streamline the construction process, ensuring other trades could begin their work as needed and that the project, as a whole, was completed ahead of schedule.

Additionally, in utilizing T-SLAB, Tindall was able to create a fantastic-looking, cost-effective solution for their client that will stand the test of time for many decades to come.

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Equity in the Classroom /2023/08/07/equity-in-the-classroom/ Mon, 07 Aug 2023 11:52:37 +0000 /?p=51754 An essential question for us all to ponder: Are we providing true equity of opportunity for every single student?

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An essential question for us all to ponder: Are we providing true equity of opportunity for every single student? Are they given the freedom to sit, stand, or learn in a way that best suits their individual needs? This goes beyond a single classroom or grade level – it’s a fundamental requirement from pre-K through high school and beyond.

Say hello to a revolution in education with VS America’s groundbreaking furniture solutions. We bid farewell to traditional, restrictive seating that hinders movement and engagement. Instead, we embrace contemporary options like cantilever chairs and wobble stools, empowering students to interact organically while fostering inclusivity.

Gone are the hierarchies created by conventional classroom furniture. VS America’s innovative designs break these barriers and can help create an environment where every student thrives.

Join us in providing the much-needed equity of opportunity for each and every student in your building or school system. Together, let’s cultivate learning spaces that nurture inclusivity, engagement, and emotional well-being.

Discover how VS’ transformative furniture solutions can .

About VS America

VS America, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of educational furniture for K-12 schools, colleges, and libraries. Focused on best practices for educational facilities worldwide, VS develops adaptable, ergonomic, and sustainable furniture solutions which allow for the creation of agile learning environments. For more information, visit .

 

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Need to Furnish a School, Classroom, or Library Fast? /2023/05/15/need-to-furnish-a-school-classroom-or-library-fast/ Mon, 15 May 2023 11:00:20 +0000 /?p=51522 VS America offers ergonomic furniture that ships within 10 days to meet current learning environment needs. QuickShip products arrive fully assembled so they can be used without delay.

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VS America offers ergonomic furniture that ships within 10 days to meet current learning environment needs. QuickShip products arrive fully assembled so they can be used without delay.

.

Schools in motion

Creating truly agile learning environments is a vital consideration for modern learning cultures within schools, especially since children can only develop in a healthy and performance-effective way if they get enough physical activity.

This is why schools today are schools in motion: comfortably alternating between sitting and standing when working, dynamic rather than rigid sitting postures, with movement integrated into learning in a variety of ways to keep attention and concentration levels up. Dynamic and ergonomic student furniture makes a fundamental contribution here. Agile furniture can be easily reconfigured to fit an endless variety of educational styles, and can be utilized in classrooms, collaborative spaces, and media centers from K-12 through higher education.

See for inspiration.

Did you know ESSER funds can be used on furniture?

COVID relief (ESSER) funds can be used for agile furniture so you can create welcoming, adaptable, and comfortable learning spaces. VS’ agile furniture ties into ESSER funds under multiple categories:

  • Addressing student learning loss
  • Providing mental health services and supports
  • Addressing the unique needs of disadvantaged populations
  • Repairing and improving school facilities to reduce the risk of virus transmission

Contact VS to learn more.

Give students every opportunity

Taking care of students is at the heart of it all – and at VS, we know that learning spaces have a long-term impact on students’ physical, mental, and social well-being. Let’s create learning spaces that embody dynamic flexibility, healthy ergonomics, and compassion. .

Editor’s note: This article is designated as Branded Content and سԹ does not ensure the veracity or accuracy of the information included within.

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