New Ten Sleep School provides a modern but unique learning environment

On Jan. 9 Washakie County School District No. 2 held a public ceremony in their new campus, where the school received certification from Governor Mark Gordon, and curious guests got the opportunity to wander through Ten Sleep's brand new state-of-the-art facility providing the district's kindergarten through 12th grade students a unique learning environment, and a fresh start to the spring semester.

RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY

A large crowd of Ten Sleep residents and other guests gathered in the spacious heart space of the new school, seated on the learning stairs to hear speeches from district administrators and government officials involved in the project. Superintendent Annie Griffin and Principal Robert Griffin welcomed the guests for coming to share in the achievement, before handing the microphone over to Steven McDonald, School Facilities Project Manager at the Wyoming State Construction Department.

He said, "It's been a long time coming and a long road, and when I see a turnout at a ribbon cutting like this, it just reaffirms that this was the right thing to do, and that it is important to the community, and that you guys deserve to have a building like this ... I can't say enough about Annie [Griffin] and her staff, who have full-time jobs and still manage to do all the things they needed to do in order to make this happen. I think that kind of effort from them is reflected in the quality and finish of the product that you guys have today."

Afterwards, McDonald read from a proclamation certificate provided by Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon, recognizing the opening of the new school.

Following McDonald was Kylie Anderson, a field representative of the Office of Wyoming Senator John Barrasso. She shared a statement from him, saying, "This is an exciting occasion. The teachers and students of Ten Sleep will benefit from this state-of-the-art school for decades to come. Your commitment to educational excellence will be matched with the excellence of this new facility. I know you will continue to serve as a model for our state."

After the formalities were taken care of guests were invited to roam the new facility, accompanied by Ten Sleep students guiding their personal tours with information about the features of the new facility, and other students serving light refreshments and snacks.

Griffin said of the ceremony, "I was so pleased to see so many people from our community come out to celebrate. It was a fantastic turn out and a great time to thank every community member, staff member and everyone involved in the project from the beginning. Our high school students were very involved with tours and serving appetizers which made it even better. Overall, it was a fantastic night of celebration!"

DETAILS ABOUT THE BUILDING

Though a written description does little to describe the feeling of being on the new campus, one will be provided here.

Figures used here are courtesy of Griffin, and are up-to-date as of Jan. 14.

Visitors walking in the front of the $32.5 million facility will first notice a security vestibule they'll pass through, and a secure room for secretaries directly to the east. Immediately in front is a smart board and display area that relays school information and is suitable for displaying art and the like. A visitor can diverge left to see the cafeteria in the southwest, featuring restaurant-style seating, a kitchen with attached concessions, and access to outdoor seating.

Should you go right instead, you'll be in the school's enormous heart space, occupying a significant portion of the 52,738 square-foot building. You'll see learning stairs leading to the second floor, decorated with a pattern depicting Ten Sleep Canyon. This is bordered on either side by hallways leading to elementary classrooms. Beneath the south side of the staircase is a bench paying homage to the old school, made from hardwood retrieved from the old basketball court. To the left is an unassuming paneled wall with a screen suitable for a small theatre above it. The paneled wall is also the eastern wall of the school's music room, and it can be slid open to turn the space into an auditorium complete with curtains, a moveable stage and fixed stage lighting.

Turning attention once again to the stairs (or elevator), a visitor who ascends to the second floor will be on a large U-shaped walkway connected at the top of the stairwell to dual halls leading to more of the school's 16 classrooms and eastern balconies. A walk down the south walkway will show more rooms, the exterior windows and doors leading to the southern balcony. This walkway ends with a vast art room, with a vast array of supplies and equipment and an east-facing door leading once again to the southern balcony.

While walking back toward the top of the stairs, you can appreciate the school's incredible vaulted ceiling, constructed from enormous hardwood beams, left exposed for their natural beauty. Now walking along the northern walkway, you'll find an entrance to the state-of-the-art weight room. This walkway ends in double doors opening to a huge gymnasium occupying the northwest portion of the main floor, a view you can enjoy while you take a lap around the second-story walkway encircling the room. The gym is equipped with six basketball hoops, collapsible bleachers lining the north and south walls, and a curtain that can be lowered to bisect the room. Now that you've seen it all, you can exit by taking stairs from the gym walkway that connect back to lounge seating near the cafeteria.

In an interview, Griffin notes some of her favorite features, saying, "The heart space with the beautiful ceiling, beams and learning stairs has been a hit and an amazing gathering place for the community. Our students really love all the soft seating, and the variety of places and furniture they have access to as they learn throughout the day. The kitchen is state-of-the-art, and the gymnasium is spacious and allows for two practices to be held at once, which will be a big bonus for our coaches and athletes. The sliding doors between classrooms also allow for our teachers to collaborate and for our students to learn beside their peers. The open concept really lends itself to our project-based learning initiative. Honestly, it is just an exciting time to be a Pioneer!"

Griffin said that staff and students alike have quickly adapted to the new learning environment, saying, "The students have permanent smiles! Our staff are enjoying the new spaces as well. A mid-year move is hard on everyone, but we are adjusting and enjoying this new space."

She and her husband, Principal Robert Griffin, arrived as administrators in Ten Sleep in the fall of 2022, so they weren't there to begin the project, but they quickly brought themselves in line with the vision of those who came before them and were happy to see it through. Annie Griffin said, "The school had already been designed and the plans were at 65% completion when I came on. My understanding was that the community really wanted a more open concept, with opportunities for students to learn in small groups and for teachers to be able to collaborate as well. They also wanted a homier, family feel. I believe this building has indeed achieved that. When I came in, the changes I made were all around safety and security. I believe we have married what the community wanted with what is needed for the safety of our students."

HEARTFELT THANKS, AND WHAT'S NEXT

Annie Griffin said there were many people to thank for the project including staff, legislators, government officials, engineers and contractors as well as the board of trustees.

The demolition of the old school building is scheduled to begin Jan. 20, making way for more features of the new school. A previous Northern Wyoming News article from March 2, 2023, mentioned the remaining projects, stating, "A new track and field will be east of Ten Sleep Town Hall and north of Fourth Street on the parcel owned by the school district. [Annie] Griffin said that a gravel road will run between the new school and sports field for access."

The space left by the demolition of the old school will also make way for new parking space. Northern Wyoming News will continue to provide updates as school construction in Ten Sleep continues.