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After much prayer and effort, we will build out the north campus this summer and begin the 2009-2010 academic year at the Brooklyn Park site. This move is the culmination of two years hard work on the part of our internal consolidation team and ATS&R architects and engineers. The move is also the realization of a strategic goal we’ve had for the last five or so years.
MCA CAMPUS CONSOLIDATION PROJECT
Entire Student Body Moves to Brooklyn Park
In June 2009, Maranatha Christian Academy (MCA) began consolidating its two campuses to become one. The elementary campus, which was in Minneapolis, will move to the north campus located in Brooklyn Park for the upcoming 2009-2010 academic year. This move is the culmination of two years of hard work on the part of the internal consolidation team and ATS&R architects and engineers. The move is also the realization of a strategic goal they’ve had for the last five years. One MCA parent said, “We are so excited to have all three children under one roof. It will not only be more convenient for us, but the kids are going to love it!” The consolidation will overall make MCA more accessible, convenient, and economical for parents. Some other benefits include: The cost efficiencies recaptured from operating two campuses can be reinvested in programming The school can grow to 850 students School events can be consolidated to one campus Security will be enhanced through 20 additional cameras and an onsite security team
The new building offers the following improvements, to list a few: Future growth for dedicated band/choir rooms, athletic fields, etc. Enhanced learning space for all grades Improved ventilation and air conditioning in all instructional and ancillary spaces Green space and future playground expansion for elementary students Improved parking for all school events Significant school wide technology improvements A fully handicap accessible building Centralized accessibility of special education services, transportation, and state aid through the Osseo school district Full time school nurse on site through the Osseo school district
The exciting part about this consolidation effort is that the benefits transcend the school and reach to MCA’s parent church, Living Word Christian Center. For example, the new gym floor for pre-kindergarten and elementary students will be used for young adults as well. Most of the benefits reach Living Word’s children’s ministry. The children’s ministry will have improved ministry resource and classroom space, a more efficient check-in process, new carpeting and flooring as well as new windows, which allow for natural daylight in the classrooms. Overall, the move is extremely exciting for both Maranatha and Living Word. It’s a wonderful chance to be good stewards of the building God has given us by maximizing the use of the space for both the school and the church. Ultimately, both the church congregation and the Maranatha parents and students will benefit from the change. FAQ:
Q) What day will school start?
A) First day of classes Grades 7-12 is Tuesday, Sept. 8; Grades K-6 is Wednesday, Sept. 9; Pre-K is Friday, Sept. 11. Q) What time will the school day begin?
A) Pre-Kindergarten at 8:30 a.m.; Elementary at 8 a.m.; and Secondary will begin at 7:45 a.m. Q) Will there be an express bus running from Minneapolis to the north campus?
A) TBD. For carpool details, or if you have questions and comments, please feel free to contact the Transportation Director at transportation@mca.lwcc.org or by calling (763) 488-7900. Q) Where will I drop off my kids?
A) Secondary and pre-k students will continue to use the north east entrance; Door #2. Elementary students will enter through the south east entrance; Door 3. Staff parking is in the south lots; staff will enter through the south east (Door #3) or the south central LWCC main lobby doors. Visitor parking will be provided at both entrances, north and south parking lots. Q) Will there be supervision in the morning if I have to drop off my child(ren) before classes begin?
A) Yes. There is no charge for morning supervision.
- Pre-k morning supervision will continue to take place in the classroom. Parents may drop off their pre-k students as early as 7:40 a.m.
- Elementary students may arrive beginning at 7 a.m. and will be supervised till 7:45 a.m. Elementary students may report to their classrooms at 7:45 a.m.
- Secondary supervision will continue in the cafeteria beginning at 7 a.m. and ending at 7:25 a.m. Secondary students may report to their lockers beginning at 7:25 a.m. Q) Will there be any bussing available?
A) We are currently requesting the addition of our elementary students to the bus transportation services (secondary students have been included for several years) for families residing in the Osseo district. More information will be forthcoming. Students riding Osseo buses in the morning and afternoon will use the north east entrance. Maranatha will not provide express busing from the old south campus to our new consolidated building. We are committed to assist in facilitating carpools for our families living in close proximity to the south campus. A mailing will go out the week of July 20 with these details. Click here for info on demand. Volunteer Construction Teams:
Every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings from 5:30-9:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., volunteer construction teams will be working to complete various parts of the project. Volunteers will do some demolition, disassembly and reassembly of casework, moving furniture and equipment, and other misc tasks. To sign up to lend a hand, check out the volunteer calendar here, and/or call the Hotline at 763-315-7282 and press 1 to sign up. Construction Update 08/17/09: - Construction was completed on the first floor, north side classrooms
- Painting first floor, north side classrooms was completed
- Painting of "the cube" was completed (this is the new PreK storage closet disquised as a fantastic, multi-dimensional display in the main entrance; click here to see the digitial mock up)
- Relocation of all south campus operations
- Construction began on new elementary LMC
Construction Update 08/10/09: - The August 4 Unification Celebration & Open House was spectacular! More than 300 excited current families and curious prospective families came out that evening for the information session and tour.
- Construction has begun on first floor, north side classrooms (Kindergarten and 1st Grade)
- Elementary school office moved in
- Elementary and Secondary health offices combined and moved into new space
- South campus computer lab moved to new elementary lab
Construction Update 08/03/09: - Offices were painted and carpet installed
- Elementary school office furniture installations
- Business office furniture installations
Construction Update 07/27/09: First floor, south side classrooms have been painted and casework installed. The carpeting and final touches will be complete by the beginning of this week. Construction will begin this week in first floor, north side classrooms Windows on the south side of the building are installed an finished Relocated athletic offices are complete and they will move in this week Construction of the new pre-kindergarten storage in the main MCA lobby entrance has begun New lockers in third- and fourth-grade classrooms have been installed Much of the new offices spaces will be painted and occupied by the end of this week
Construction Update 07/20/09: Classrooms on the first floor south side of the building have been painted and casework will be installed the beginning of this week. The carpeting and final touches will be complete by the beginning of next week. Windows on the south side of the building are installed and finished. The new business offices construction is complete and will be painted this week. The elementary offices are underway and painting should begin the end of this week or beginning of next. Athletic offices will be completed this week and they will move into them by the end of the week. Construction of the new pre-kindergarten storage will begin this week.
Please check back weekly for more details. We thank you for your prayers and your patience throughout this process as there are literally thousands of details to consider and communicate as we move toward the coming school year. Construction Update 06/29/09: Most of the demolition has been completed by our volunteers teams and we are currently ahead of schedule! Windows are going in Wednesday, July 8 on the south side of the building on the 1st and 2nd floor We had a great open house on Tuesday, July 7 with about 100 parents and students in attendence. Kids received construction helmets, pencils, and we gave away lots of spirit-wear! Excitement regarding the consolidation is building among parents
Construction Update 06/22/09: - We had 21 volunteers help with the project
- Volunteer teams demoed walls, pulled up carpeting, removed cabinets from several children’s ministry room and offices
- Resource rooms have been reconfigured
- Several children’s ministry offices have been relocated to the churches administrative area
- This week we will be remodeling the coat room to create more needed storage space. We will also continue some demolitionAfter our first week of construction we are on schedule!
Construction Update 06/15/09:
ATS&R architects and engineers have designed a plan that will: - Accommodate up to 740 Pre-K through grade 12 students
- Employ state-of-the-art technology in new and existing classrooms
- Allow natural lighting in all perimeter classrooms
- Be completed in just 41 construction days!
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