- Visit LP Ciminelli Construction Corp.'s website for the CHS construction project (includes site photographs) at www.lpciminelli.com/site/bps195/.
- Help build our new library!
- Buffalo News article, "City Honors site may yield more forgotten graves"
- Buffalo News article, "Plan will let City Honors avoid costly redesign for expansion"
- Part 1 of Dr. Kresse's presentation from the public meeting on January 29
- Part 2 of Dr. Kresse's presentation from the public meeting on January 29
- Part 3 of Dr. Kresse's presentation from the public meeting on January 29
- Part 4 of Dr. Kresse's presentation from the public meeting on January 29
- Part 5 of Dr. Kresse's presentation from the public meeting on January 29
- Part 6 of Dr. Kresse's presentation from the public meeting on January 29
- Buffalo News article on the remains found on our campus
- Letter home to parents regarding remains
- BPS "Web Extra," in which Dr. William Kresse talks about the importance of keeping the lines of communication open with the community concerning reconstruction plans.
- Security plans for the future of keeping CHS safe.
- Plans and pictures of the reconstruction meeting.
- BPS story about the reconstruction meeting.
- Agenda for the public meeting, which takes place on Monday, January 28, 2008.
- Maddy Burns' Quaerare article will introduce you to the reconstruction process.
- Read Dr. Kresse's columns on Reconstruction in current and past parent newsletters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Introduction
At the end of the 2007-2008 school year, construction work will begin on City Honors School that will take two years. During that time, the staff and student body will relocate. Below are some commonly asked questions about the renovation and move.
The answers have been provided by CHS Principal Dr. William Kresse.
If you have a general question that has not been answered, please send it to PTSCO Cochair Andrea Szalanski.
Q. Why is CHS being renovated?
A. CHS is one of many Buffalo Public Schools that were chosen to be part of the District's School Reconstruction Program. CHS will be part of Phase III. It was chosen because of the sound condition of its building (a nationally recognized historic building), success of its program (also nationally known), size of its campus, proximity to bus and train lines, location in the geographic center of the city (magnet school), and proximity to the city's developing medical and science campus so that the Roswell/Hauptman program can continue.
Q. Who will pay for the work?
A. New York State pays for 50-90% of the costs, depending on what type of work is being done.
Q. What work will be done at CHS?
A. Classroom space will be reconfigured and expanded to accommodate an additional 100 students. Science facilities will be updated. Student bus drop-off and pick-up will be redesigned to be made safer. Athletic facilities will be constructed to modern standards and include a gym and an All-High swimming pool. There will be a new cafeteria and a pod for 5th and 6th grade students to ease their transition into the program. The building will be fully rewired for technology. The reconstruction will preserve all that we love about our building and add what we have so badly needed.
Q. Where will the staff and students relocate during reconstruction?
A. Grades 5-8 will move to School 56 at 716 West Delavan Avenue. CHS Assistant Principal, Maureen Izquierdo, will be the primary administrator at the site. Grades 9-12 will be housed at School 8 on the corner of Masten Avenue and East Utica Street. Dr. Kresse and Assistant Principal Angela Hannah will be based there. Dr. Kresse will rotate between the two buildings.
Q. Will the quality of education suffer?
A. No. Every effort is being made to ensure that our program will not be harmed. In fact there will be some benefits. Our swing schools will offer more space and larger classrooms than what is currently available in our building.
Q. What steps will be taken to ease the anxiety of students and parents?
A. There will be a standing committee of administrators, teachers, parents, and students that will deal with swing school issues. Tours/open houses of our temporary facilities will be conducted in August for families. Special activities will be organized for the classes of 2009 and 2010, who will be displaced during their final years at CHS.
Q. How will faculty be assigned?
A. Most teachers will temporarily teach at either the middle school or high school level. A small number of teachers may travel between buildings. Some temporary additional staff may be added during the swing school process.
Q. Will schools #56 and #8 need to be modified?
A. Our furniture will be brought in. Since School #56 has been a middle school, it is appropriately configured. Science labs and lockers will be added to School #8. Both schools will undergo minor painting and cosmetic updates. We will take steps to make them “home” while we are there.
Q. Will the schools have libraries?
A. Yes. Both schools have their own libraries. Both are smaller than our current library, but they will each serve a smaller number of students.
Q. How can I find out more?
A. There will be a public meeting on Monday, January 28 at 6:30 P.M. at CHS on the plans for reconstruction and swing school issues. Also, additional general questions can be sent to PTSCO Copresident Andrea Szalanski, and they will be answered in this space as this FAQ is expanded.
