Brywood Measure E Frequently Asked Questions
Below are Brywood Measure E Frequently Asked Questions and Answers. For a printer-friendly version click here.
Measure E on the Brywood Campus
Q: How will Measure E work benefit Brywood?
A: The IUSD Facilities and Brywood leadership teams are still finalizing the planned Measure E upgrades, which will be a combination of repairing the aging Brywood campus and adding enhancements, such as doors on classrooms, among other improvements. Once the details are finalized in the coming months, Principal Ramirez will share them with the school community. The upgrades and enhancements will provide improvements to instruction with the creation of flexible spaces to better meet student-learning needs.
Q: What features will our school receive from Measure E funding?
A: The goal is to make the necessary improvements to repair the aging school campus and to incorporate as much of the Board Approved Educational Specifications on the Brywood campus with the funds available. This includes a campus modernization, enclosure of open classrooms and other code required upgrades. Project details can be found under school updates
Q: Will we get a roof for the lunch area?
A: No. Due to a limited budget, other work was was prioritized and or required by code that prohibit the roofing of the existing lunch area at this time.
Q: Will new classrooms be built at Brywood?
A: Yes. A new Innovation Lab and Design Lab will be added as part of the main school interior renovation. Additional music classroom spaces will be built as a stand-alone building.
Brywood Measure E Plans
Q: How come the Brywood plans are not finalized at the time?
A: The plans are finalized and approved for construction. The project is on schedule to start construction in the summer of 2018. Project details can be found under school updates.
Q: When will the plans and features for Brywood be finalized?
A: The plans are finalized and approved for construction. The project is on schedule to start construction in the summer of 2018. Project details can be found under school updates.
Q: Once the project details are finalized, where can we find them?
A: Project details and any related updates will be posted to Brywood’s Measure E webpage iusd.org/MeasureEbw under school updates.
Q: What has been the process for determining the work that will be done on the Brywood campus?
A: A Planning Committee has been formed and includes Principal Ramirez and Brywood school staff. Additionally, a district leadership committee has been established to review and approve facilities staff recommendations for project scope identified during the planning process. After many meetings and reviews by various district departments, the work that will be done on Brywood’s campus includes campus modernization related to code requirements and maintenance essential needs, enclosure of open classrooms and creation of spaces to meet current District educational specifications.
Temporary Relocation Information
Q: Why does our school need to be temporarily relocated to Westwood Basics Elementary School?
A: Student and staff safety – Brywood will be an active construction site with several work crews, construction equipment and vehicles. In addition, there will also be debris, dust and noise that generally accompanies such projects.
Minimal disruption to the learning environment for students – Students will be in a learning space that is comparable to Brywood, without the disruption and safety concerns of heavy construction on campus.
This is the most efficient way to complete the work within a year timeframe –If staff and students remained on campus, it would delay the project and extend the construction timeframe over several years.
Q: What is the timeframe for the temporary relocation?
A: The following is the relocation timeline:
Summer 2018 – Teachers and school will relocate to Westwood Basics
August 2018 – Brywood students will attend school for the 2018-19 school year
Summer 2019 – Teachers and school will move back into Brywood
August 2019 – Students will return to the upgraded Brywood campus
Q: Will the District be able to complete the work within the year timeframe?
A: Yes. The plan is to have the work completed in time to move back to the completed campus during the summer of 2019.
Q: Will preparing for the move impact the 2017-18 school year or instruction?
A: The Brywood staff will ensure that preparation for the move will not impact instruction or annual activities.
Westwood Basics Elementary Information
Q: Where is Westwood Basics Elementary School located?
A: Westwood Basics is located at 1 Liberty, Irvine. It is located next to Sierra Vista Middle School.
Q: How has Westwood Basics been used in recent years?
A: In recent years, Westwood Basics has been a functioning site, used as a training facility for IUSD staff and a temporary school site for Portola Springs Elementary students.
Q: Will Brywood students be the only students at Westwood Basics?
A: Yes. During the 2018-19 school year, Brywood students will be the only students attending Westwood Basics. All other programs will be relocated to other facilities.
Q: Will the District be making any improvements to Westwood Basics?
A: Although Westwood Basics is in good condition, over the course of the next year, IUSD will make some improvements to the campus to ready it for Brywood’s arrival. Brywood staff, along with the Facilities team will work to ensure Westwood Basics feels like a special home for students and families.
Q: Will there be enough classrooms and facilities at Westwood Basics to meet Brywood’s needs?
A: Yes, IUSD will ensure that Westwood Basics will accommodate Brywood’s enrollment.
Q: Will some Brywood students be sent to other schools during the temporary relocation?
A: No. All Brywood students will be relocated together to Westwood Basics.
Q: Will there be a staggered start at Westwood Basics to coordinate with Sierra Vista Middle School?
A: IUSD and Brywood will examine all options for start and end times during this temporary relocation period. Parents will have an opportunity for input on this important decision and their feedback will be used to determine the schedule for students and families. More information will follow in the coming months.
Q: Will Brywood students mix with Sierra Vista students?
A: These are two different campuses. Sierra Vista students will not be on the Westwood Basics campus during school hours. However, similar to Deerfield Elementary and Venado Middle School or Meadow Park Elementary and South Lake Middle School, students may walk through the shared open space or be in proximity to each other before or after school hours.
Q: Will Brywood host a Westwood Basics open house before the start of the 2018-19 school year, so that parents and students can familiarize themselves with the campus?
A: Yes! More details will follow closer to the 2018-19 school year.
Construction Process
Q: Will the project be completed within the year timeframe?
A: IUSD’s Facilities and Construction staff has a tremendous track record for staying on schedule for large-scale construction projects. Since 2013, IUSD has opened or begun construction of a new school each year, with all projects staying on schedule and opening on time. This is in part due to the team’s continuous oversight of the construction progress, which is required to ensure the project stays on track. The team works diligently to identify delays early in the process, which allows for opportunities to recover time within the schedule and keep the project on schedule.
Q: If work is finished early, can we return to the Brywood campus early?
A: It would be too disruptive to students and teachers to move back to Brywood in the middle of the school year. The relocation process takes a significant amount of time, which would not be feasible during the school year.
Q: Construction projects can sometimes go over budget. What is IUSD’s process to track the project budget and does the District have contingencies?
A: Project budgets have multiple progress checks throughout the planning process and again after the project is bid. Contingencies are also part of project budgets.
Q: What does the planning process entail and have construction plans been submitted?
A: The planning process is an extensive 14-step process; please click here for an infographic with more information. The construction plans have been approved by Division of State Architect January 2018. We are on track to maintain the project schedule The construction will start June 2018.
Brywood Site Questions
Q: What excites teachers and staff the most about Measure E upgrades to Brywood?
A: Teachers are most excited about having more collaborative space for students to learn. Learning has become active – it is typical to see students and teachers spread out and utilize the entire room. Also, with additional space, staff will be able to work more individually with learning groups to target instruction.
Q: What resources are available if students have anxiety about the move?
A: Principal Ramirez and Brywood staff are committed to making students feel at home on the Westwood Basics campus during this temporary relocation. Should students need additional support, please contact Brywood Elementary Resource Counselor Amanda Culler or Guidance Resource Bonnie Harris.
Q: Is Brywood the first school to receive Measure E improvements?
A: No. Brywood is in the first series of projects identified to be funded with Measure E dollars. There are 21 school sites identified for projects in Series 1, six of which will begin construction this summer.
Q: Will Kids Stuff childcare be on the Westwood Basics Campus?
A: Yes. Kids Stuff will provide the same childcare services as currently provided on the Brywood campus.
Q: Where will Kids Stuff be located during the summer of 2018?
A: Kids Stuff will be located at the Westwood Basics Campus summer of 2018 till summer of 2019.
Q: Does this relocation mean there are changes to school boundaries?
A: No. Measure E projects and Brywood’s temporary relocation will not change school boundaries.
Q: 2016-17 fourth-grade students will finish their sixth-grade year at Westwood Basics. What will the school do to make this year special for those sixth graders?
A: Brywood staff and teachers will develop a plan for students, who will be in the sixth grade during the 2018-19 relocation year, and will communicate the plan to parents.
Q: What other schools are receiving Measure E upgrades that will benefit Brywood students?
A: Sierra Vista Middle School and Northwood High School will also receive Measure E upgrades. For more information, visit iusd.org/MeasureE.
Busing
Q: Will the District provide busing to Brywood students during the temporary relocation to reduce traffic congestion around Westwood Basics and Sierra Vista?
A: No. There is not a need for busing in this area given that Westwood Basics is in close proximity to Brywood. However, IUSD and Brywood staff will examine all options for start and end times during this temporary relocation period to alleviate traffic. Parents will have an opportunity for input on this important decision and their feedback will be used to determine the schedule for students and families. More information will follow in the coming months.
Communications
Q: How will Brywood staff and the District communicate Measure E updates to parents?
A: The District has created a Brywood Measure E webpage, iusd.org/MeasureEbw, in which ongoing updates and information will be posted, including project details and timeline, a photo and video gallery, general Measure E updates and more.
In addition, Principal Ramirez will continue to send updates and information to parents throughout the process.
Q: If I have questions, who should I contact?
A: Please send Measure E questions to MeasureE@iusd.org. You may also directly reach out to Principal Ramirez for the most up-to-date and accurate information about Measure E implementation at Brywood.
Q: If I hear information in the community about the Brywood Measure E upgrades that concerns me, who should I contact?
A: If you hear information in the community that is concerning and/or raises questions, please contact Principal Ramirez directly. You may also send an email to MeasureE@iusd.org.