Open House Highlights New Technology at Old Saybrook High School in Old Saybrook, Connecticut

OLD SAYBROOK - Whether it's the school's new language lab, science labs, music recording studio, art and music computer lab, or auditorium, technology plays a huge part in the $16.3 million project that expanded and renovated Old Saybrook High School.

The school hosted an open house on Feb. 5 thanking those who made the project possible and tours were given of their now finished facility.

World Language teacher Valerie Koif said a new world language lab at the school "enhances the student's ability to speak and understand world language at a much more effective and efficient base."

Counters are setup along the walls where workstations have headphones and small computerized units allowing two-way communication.

Students put on the headsets and the teacher can to talk to the entire class, one individual, or decide to administer a multiple choice test.

The units can record a student's voice and play it back to them so they can better pronounce difficult words.

The system allows the teacher to randomly pair up students from across the room so they can work together.

Koif said the system can digitally record information from tapes, CD's and other technology eliminating the need for file cabinets.

Down the hallway, in a new Life Skills classroom, teacher Amy Maynard assists students with special needs by teaching them how to use modern kitchen technology.

Internships allow high school students to help teach important life skills to their special education peers.

Further down the corridor are the school's eight spacious science labs with state-of-the-art safety features. Three of the labs are brand new while the others were completely renovated.

Science teacher Charles Renshaw said outlets have been installed in the lab areas in anticipation of new computers that will be used by students to gather data and participate in computer-aided experiments.

While the school's new arts and music wing features band and chorus practice rooms, it also has a state-of-the-art recording studio complete with sound-proof practice rooms, an electronic drum set, and a control room.

The control room features a computer, pull-down projection screen, soundboard, and the ability to see performers in all practice rooms through windows.

"The new technology serves the needs of a different kind of student such as those who want to be in their own band. I want every student here to be involved with music. The technology is truly a doorway to a population I normally wouldn't get," said Band Director and Music Teacher Jeremy Taylor.

While Taylor teaches two classes and supervises an after-school program, many of the students are autodidact, meaning they teach themselves how to use the equipment.

"There rarely is a time when kids are not in the recording studio," Taylor said.

Dana Maccio, Old Saybrook Public Schools District Art Chair for grades K-12, who also teaches at the high school, said that the arts and music departments enjoy a new spacious 20-station computer lab.

The lab is used for a number of classes including advanced placement art history, music and art graphic design, and digital photography.

On the other side of the lab is a spacious art room allowing natural light to stream in from near the ceiling.

"The architects were very cooperative and let us design the space for what we needed and wanted," Maccio said.

Senior Chris Walonski gave praise to the school's state-of-the-art equipment as well as having "a caring staff and a curriculum designed to open doors."

The open house concluded with a special recognition program in the renovated auditorium allowing the public to sit in completely restored seating and visit the new sound and lighting control booth.

While a new soundboard and other sound equipment is at the same level as the auditorium, two bolted ladders in the booth provide access to an enlarged lighting equipment room with wooden slide doors overlooking the stage area.

Sound equipment was professionally installed by Caruso's Music, of New London, who ensured that even those sitting in the back row would be able to enjoy the same high-quality sound as those sitting in the front row.

"We've already had band concerts in the auditorium and all the parents can fit in here and the chairs are much more comfortable than before," remarked senior Helen Herrle.