The Sun Sunnyvale's Newspaper Sunnyvale junior high completes a $5.6 million renovation By Justin Berton There's a lot of new stuff at Sunnyvale Middle School. There are the three new computer labs, the revamped science department, and the hardwood floors in the gymnasium, just to name a few. But nothing makes the students happier than the brand spankin' new latrines. "I tried to stay away from them then," said eighth-grader Annie Song referring to the once odorous commodes. "Now, they're clean and usable." Last week, school officials held a major celebration announcing the completion of a two-year $5.6 million dollar renovation project at the 35-year-old campus. The funds were used from a $35 million bond measure passed by Sunnyvale residents in 1996. More important than the fresh scents on campus--school officials and students agreed--is that the school now offers one of the most modernized middle school campuses in all of California. "I don't know of any other facility that has our capability," said principal Thomas Sutkus. Before the renovations, students attended a dilapidated campus which was hardly conducive to a learning environment, said campus supervisor Kathleen Bullene. "It's hard to take pride in a campus when you're at a crumbly old building," she said. And the two years of shuffling around construction crews began to grow tiresome for the students as well. "Sure, its kind of fun to see what construction is like first hand," said seventh grader Neil Joseph. "Then after a while, it kind of takes its toll." Amazingly, Sutkus said, the school experienced an increase in test scores during the days of jackhammers and bulldozers. "Despite all the distractions, our students and staff worked very hard not to lose sight of the goals we're working toward," Sutkus said. Now, with the fresh-looking campus on the outside and a newly wired infrastructure on the inside, reaching those goals might come that much easier. Each classroom is fitted with at least 20 electrical outlets and wired with fiber optics to handle computer access, said Rudy Masol, district director of operational services. "We were once very limited in what we could do," Masol said. "We had inadequate power in the classrooms, and we were not set up for the new technology for what's going into the classroom. "This renovation will allow us to move into the next century with an ultra-modern classroom," Masol said. Sutkus said the school just spent $300,000 from grant money on new technology, stocking classrooms with the best and the latest equipment. Each classroom has a television set and a VCR, and soon each teacher will have a computer. But for all the modernization that showcases the school, a few personal touches were included. One conference room was named for longtime employees Phyllis Olson and Mary Johnson. "We named it after them because they are so much a part of this school," Sutkus said. The student body of more than 900 also had a hand in the project. Students helped pay for slogans of school spirit that adorn the walls inside the gym and around campus. Commenting on the slogans, but perhaps on the entire project as well, Sutkus concluded, "It gives the place a much more upbeat atmosphere." [ Back to Contents Page | Sunnyvale Sun Home Page | Archives ] This article appeared in the Sunnyvale Sun, February 3, 1999. ©1999 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.