The name Standards High represents not only the name of our school anthem, but also stands for a new and vigorous effort to bring certain portions of our campus up to the “high ideals” we hold for ourselves. This very exciting program is designed to keep Barstow’s facility in line with its mission: ...the symmetrical development of mind, body and character.
The Overview
The goal of our newly initiated Standards High campaign initiative is three-fold: Renovate the Raymond B. White Auditorium with new, comfortable seats, flooring, lights and sound—all of which can be transferred at a later date into a new arts facility planned for the future.
Build six new tennis courts with lights and the engineering for a future bubble enclosure. Our current four courts are not safe enough for tournament play, and these new courts would enable our own tournaments as well as rentals to outside parties. Improve Middle and Upper School classrooms with new lighting, ceiling, floors, shelves and other refurbishments.
The Finances
| Auditorium renovation |
$500,000 |
Tennis Courts
including bubble enclosure |
$1,000,000 |
Middle & Upper School
classroom renovations |
$500,000 |
| Campaign goal |
$2,000,000 |
The campaign will be completed by the summer of 2011, so it will have an impact on Barstow students of today.
The Details
The Raymond B. White Auditorium
This centrally located heart of the school is used for not only theatrical productions, but assemblies, awards presentations, visiting presenters, concerts and programs for all three divisions of the school.
Made possible in 1962 through a generous gift from the Raymond B. White family, the facility has some of the original equipment from 1962—including the seats! Renovations to the auditorium would include more modern and comfortable seating and corresponding flooring, replacement of the lighting and sound equipment—which has been rewired and glued together several times in the intervening four-plus decades—a new projection system and a new curtain.
While it is in our long range plan to build a new Fine Arts facility, which would encompass a new auditorium and classroom/rehearsal space, that is not fiscally realistic at this time. But, all of the new equipment being financed by the Standards High campaign in the existing auditorium will be transferable to the new facility when the time comes.
Tennis Courts
The current tennis courts have served Barstow well. But they are now out of date, inadequate in number and frankly dangerous due to drainage issues. Their location also restricts parking for Lower School as well as for athletic events.
Our plan is to increase the number of courts from four to six, which would enable us to host district competitions. Barstow has a history of outstanding tennis players, many of whom have advanced to State competitions and won those titles. It’s time we provide adequate playing surfaces.
Even better, the courts will be engineered to accommodate a bubble, which will allow for a covered, year-round surface for tennis as well as other activities for Barstow students... and provide a rental opportunity to others outside the Barstow community. This brings a completely new revenue stream which could help pay for maintenance and utilities for the complex.
Our campaign will provide the resources to construct the courts for the 2010 fall tennis season. The new courts will also satisfy the needs of our current students, increase our marketability for future students and build excitement within the Barstow community.
Classroom Renovations
Well, the Middle School doesn’t date to 1962, it’s as new as 1967! And, while it was perfect for our needs then, we now need a fresher appearance and better storage, so it’s time to spruce things up. We propose that both Middle and Upper School classrooms be renovated in the areas of flooring, lighting, wall coverings and shelving. Those classrooms that front the Zen Garden and other open spaces will have doors installed allowing teachers to use these places as outdoor classrooms. These may not sound like major changes, but they are necessary to keep these areas in sync with the rest of the school and its 21st century appeal.
Our Middle and Upper School students have the advantage of an excellent academic curriculum including an innovative global studies initiative, leadership program and Kansas City’s only one-to-one tablet PC program. The Standards High campaign will create a much-improved environment in which our students and faculty can achieve their goals. |