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Menlo Park School District
181 Encinal Avenue
Atherton, CA 94027

650-321-7140

Background:

The Encinal campus rests on approximately 10 acres in the City of Atherton on the corner of Middlefield Road and Encinal Avenue. The school currently serves Grades 3 – 5 and houses the District Office. Encinal School is the District's largest elementary campus in terms of land. The campus currently houses the fewest students (405).

In June 2006, Encinal School had 20 regular classrooms and 6 portables classrooms on site. The core campus was originally constructed in 1948. The second phase of the facility was built in 1952. An additional classroom was added in 1960. Portions of the campus were converted in 1970 and the facility was modernized in 1999 under the previous Bond Program.


Construction Update:

The Contractor, DL Falk is finishing the interiors of the new Kindergarten wing. The building is being painted, the ornamental fence is going up, landscaping is underway (trees in the courtyard are planted, grass next to the play area is installed).

Schematic plans for Encinal were approved at the November 1st Special Board meeting.
Click here to see artist's renditions.


Front of School

Construction of the new drop off, pick up, and entrance parking lot began the day after school ended and the contractor has been working hard to complete the work for the beginning of school.  Currently, the contractor is completing site infrastructure and utility work and grading for the new road way and sidewalks. The drainage system has been installed for the new drop-off/pick-up and parking at Encinal.

Modernization

The District is also working on the current 5th grade wing along Middlefield with the installation of new windows, doors, and hardware.  The back of the school site is also being prepared for the the coming construction of the new 4/5 Grade Classrooms and Multi-purpose building which is scheduled to begin in October 2008.

SmartBoards

SmartBoards are being installed in all classrooms on the campus and will be ready for the beginning of school.


PUBLIC NOTICE - July 21, 2008

NOTICE OF PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD AND PUBLIC HEARING

MENLO PARK CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

ENCINAL SCHOOL EXPANSION PROJECTS
PRELIMINARY ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (PEA)

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Preliminary Environmental Assessment (PEA) requested by the California Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) for the Encinal School Expansion Projects has been completed.  DTSC provided oversight on the PEA investigation and the report describing the field activities and results is currently under review by DTSC. 

DTSC may require the Menlo Park City School District to modify or revise the PEA, or may concur with it as submitted.  The PEA Report includes an assessment of whether hazardous materials are present and, if so, whether the materials are present at concentrations that would require cleanup or mitigation before proceeding with project implementation. 

The PEA Report is available for public review for a period of 30 days from Monday, July 21, 2008, through Tuesday, August 19, 2008.  A copy of the PEA Report can be accessed at the Menlo Park City School District Office, the Menlo Park City Library and the Atherton Town Library, during normal business hours.  Click here to download the .pdf.

Your comments on the PEA are of interest to us and an integral part of this process.  Please forward written comments to the attention of Ahmad Sheikholeslami, P.E., Facility Planner/Program Manager, Menlo Park City School District, 181 Encinal Ave., Atherton, CA, 94027, within the 30-day review period.  You may also provide verbal comments on the PEA Report during the MPCSD Board meeting to be held on August 19, 2008.

Comments received in this process will be forwarded to DTSC for consideration.  When the public participation process is complete, DTSC will issue a final determination with regard to the PEA.

If you have any questions concerning the Encinal School Expansion Projects or the PEA investigation, please call the Menlo Park City School District at 650-321-7140, Option 6, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.


PUBLIC NOTICES

On June 9th, the Board approved the Environmental Impact Report for the Encinal School Modernization, Expansion and Teacher Education Resource Center Projects

Field Update:

The field project is completed! The sod is resting over the summer and will be open for our students when school opens in August.

Project Overview:

The last modernization work included improvements to the Library, Administration area, site improvements, classroom upgrades (HVAC, power, data, paint, new casework, lighting, and flooring). Refer to the site assessment report for a more complete condition report. One of the major components not included in the improvements were complete door, hardware and window replacement.

To help the District accommodate the projected enrollment growth, the District decided to initiate planning to reconfigure the campus to a K-5 school under the Measure U Bond Program and increase the enrollment capacity to between 680-700, bringing kindergarten, first and second grade to the current third through fifth facility. Design capacity with District's student to teacher ratios will be at 704 students. This campus will have 32 regular classrooms and 1 classroom for severe special day students.

Campus expansion considerations include a new two story classroom building, new multi-purpose facility, music, science and other specialty classrooms and small group instruction facilities. Site improvement plans entail renovated field areas, a new lunch shelters, covered walkways and open arcade improvements. Existing facilities will receive further modernization, asbestos abatement, utility and other infrastructure and technology system upgrades.

The site will also house a new Teacher Education Resource Center and expanded District Maintenance and Operation facilities. Further improvements being planned include new and reconfigured parking and traffic circulation. A new parking and approach for teachers and staff, off Prior Lane or Middlefield, at the rear of the campus.

The District, working with the Site Design Committee, developed preliminary site plans and presented its work to the Board of Education and the public during the March 13, 2007 Board meeting. After review and comments, the Board approved the preliminary site plan during their April 4, 2007 Board meeting. The approved site plan drawing is included at the end of this section. The District is currently working on further design work on the various scopes of work on the site. The District is also proceeding with a traffic study and environmental review process. The traffic report and Initial Study are planned to be completed by the end of November 2007, respectively. In addition, the Architect is completing the final schematic plans for the new construction and will be presenting the work for Board approval.

Interim Housing Project:
Provide 12 classroom portables to house student and staff during the modernization and new construction work. Currently, the school has 5 portable classrooms. These will be moved out and replaced with the new interim housing. The current portables sit on the location of the new 4/5 Building. Classes will be transitioned into the portables to accommodate the modernization work. Included in the interim housing scope of work is infrastructure work related to power and communication that will prepare the school for the future work.

Kindergarten Renovation and Expansion:
The work scope for this project will include the complete renovation and expansion of 4 existing classrooms into kindergarten classrooms at the current F Wing Building at Encinal. It will also include the modernization of one regular classroom that is part of that wing. The work will also include the development of a kindergarten playground area that will be approximately 12,500 SF. This includes expansion of the classrooms to 1,350SF per State standards which will have a bathroom in each classroom. Other work entails structural improvements, window replacement, ceiling replacement, roofing replacements, casework installation and other improvements.

Modernization:
The Modernization will include the following:

  • Replacement of older windows throughout the campus
  • Replacement of door/hardware throughout the campus
  • Replacement of the fire alarm system to conform with new DSA requirements
  • Installation of “Smart Board” system in existing classrooms
  • Expansion/modification of the Library
  • New covered walkways
  • New covered lunch shelters
  • Modification to administration and existing multi-purpose building
  • Technology and communication upgrades

Field Improvements:
The work will include the replacement of the existing field with a new field that will be approximately 98,000 SF. The field will have a running track around the play area and be able to accommodate different configurations of soccer and one little league field. A U-12 soccer field can fit into the field without encroaching on the baseball field. The scope of the work will include a new irrigation system, improved drainage, re-graded field, new sod grass, back-stop for baseball, power, and water at the field.

4th/5th Grade Complex, Parking Lot and Site Work:
The work scope for this project includes the following:

  • New improved drop off and pick-up with parking lot.
  • New parking lot to serve the new classrooms off of Middlefield Road or Prior Lane
  • New hardcourt play area and play structures for grades 1-5
  • Landscaping improvements thought out the new construction areas
  • Construction of new buildings that will house 16 classrooms, music room, science room, resource room, work room, occupational therapy room, bathrooms, kitchen, storage space, and 4,500 SF multi-purpose area with a raised stage.
  • Courtyard and enhancements at the new 4/5 classroom complex

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Project Schedule:


Encinal Phasing Plan

Project
Anticipated Start
Anticipated End
Interim Housing
June 07
September 07
TERC/Parking Lot
June 08
March 09
Fields
November 07
April 08
F Wing
August 07
August 08
4/5 Complex/Pk Lot & Site Wk
October 08
January 09
Modernization & Misc
June 08
July 10

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Project Plans:
click on image to see a larger size

Approved 4/5 Complex from lunch arbor angle

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Site Design Committee:

The Site Design Committee plays a critical role in conveying site specific information and concerns to the Design Team to facilities the development of the site plan, schematic plan and final design of the school. The Committee was selected by the principal of each school and is comprised of parents, staff, teachers, a school neighbor, the school principal and the District Program Manager. The Architect and Construction Manager attend meetings a needed to take input and provide information and guidance.

Allison Liner Principal
Karen Strohmaier 4th Grade Teacher
Sheila Warren 4th Grade Teacher
Maggie Griffin 3rd Grade Teacher
Lois Nissman Classified staff
Jane Baran parent, representing PTO
Lisa Miletic Parent
Chris Arrington Administrative
Marilyn Howarth Neighbor
Ahmad Sheikholeslami Bond Program Manager

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Last modified Monday, July 21, 2008