CHARLOTTE — As the school year gets under way, Our Lady of the Assumption students and faculty are enjoying updated and separate spaces to eat, play and enjoy hands-on learning.
Thanks to a $430,000 grant from an anonymous donor, several areas inside the school were converted last summer from multi-purpose areas to designated spaces for students and faculty to use – most notably, a 2,400-square-foot “cafetorium,” renovated gym and library, and updated “Makerspace.”
Two classrooms were converted to create the cafetorium, which includes the school’s first equipped kitchen. The space gives the school a place to prepare meals and for students to eat and listen to presentations. OLA can now offer a breakfast program for students, thanks to the new cafetorium.
Principal Allana Ramkissoon said she is pleased OLA now has the ability to offer a “take and go” breakfast program for students.
“We always wanted to have breakfast program for the students who came to school in need of breakfast,” she said.
Nicole Francis, a seventh-grader, came to OLA six years ago. She likes the new cafetorium and the breakfast program.
“Everything is different. I love it, actually!” she said. “There are a lot of kids that don’t get breakfast, so it’s nice that we can go get a small breakfast before class.”
The OLA renovation also created a separate space for gym class, apart from the cafeteria.
Sixth-grader Givonne Wright, who has attended OLA for six years, appreciates the separation. “Before, it took basically forever because we had P.E. and lunch in the gym. You would have to wait until the floors dried before you could have lunch in there. Now our schedule is better and easier.”
OLA’s library also underwent extensive renovation to allow for comfortable seating and work tables to accommodate a STEM lab. It also houses an audiovisual room where students can broadcast announcements and work on broadcast communications skills.
The updated “Makerspace” provides students a creative space to learn through hands-on projects.
“Our focus on science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) will continue to drive our school program over the next few years,” Ramkissoon said. “We’re encouraging teachers to build into their lessons the idea of creating something. The area is set up for creation and collaboration.”
A portion of the anonymous funds also went towards hardware, software and digital network upgrades.
Ramkissoon said she is grateful to the anonymous donor and for additional funding from the Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools budget that helped pay for the gym renovation, so students can run and play on improved surfaces. The gym now boasts a stage space for drama and musical performances.
“Working with the parish to ensure that all students have equal access to the curriculum and that everyone’s needs are met is an important part of the school’s mission. We are very excited about the changes and upgrades to various aspects of our school. We believe that continuous improvement is the key to success,” she said.
Ramkissoon added that many of the improvements were made with the community’s needs in mind as well as stu-dents’ needs, because the parish plans to use the spaces for meetings and gatherings.
— SueAnn Howell, Senior reporter
