HATFIELD — As the result of a vision that was over a decade in the making, renovations to Smith Academy’s Abarno Learning Commons have transformed an aging space into a modernized education hub.
“The timing was just right, and (renovations) took off,” said Andrew Berrios, principal of Smith Academy. “It’s time for an update and for it to be more of a 21st century learning environment in that space.”
The renovations, which were primarily completed over the summer, have seen dated interiors and technology replaced with new computers, an automated projector screen and an additional 3-D printer, along with new lighting, carpets, tables, chairs, bookshelves, additional work spaces and freshly painted walls and cabinets.
Updating the space cost about $91,500, with $61,500 provided by the Smith Academy board of trustees. The Hatfield School Committee voted to approve School Choice funding that covered the project’s remaining financial support.
School librarian Scarlett Shockey, who is now in her 12th year with Smith Academy, has advocated on behalf of the project since she first began working for the school.
“It’s still kind of hard to believe… I walk by and say, ‘Oh my gosh, look at that!’” Shockey said of seeing the renovations completed.
According to Shockey, the school’s needs had been outgrowing the old space’s capabilities, both in terms of technology and furnishings.
“Everything was breaking,” Shockey said. “Each year you came back, there was another table gone, or another chair gone, and you just knew that it was time to replace stuff.”
Students also acknowledged the updated space as a significant improvement from the old Learning Commons.
“I think (the renovations) came out really good,” said Brett Gratz, a senior at Smith Academy. “The whole place is completely different, you can’t even really tell it (used to be) the old one. I think it’s a much better space to work in than before.”
Junior Alina Smiarowski called the area “a great environment to be in,” adding that the new carpeting and purple color scheme create a particularly striking difference from the orange and brown hues that previously dominated the space.
Alongside the modernized aesthetics, Berrios added that the space’s new technology will help the Learning Commons to keep up with the evolving role of today’s libraries. While nothing can replace flipping through the pages of a textbook or novel, Berrios said, modern libraries now play a vital role in promoting effective use of technology.
“I think (the role of libraries) has changed quite a bit,” Berrios said. “I think the library was a place that once housed books, and with technology, we now have databases that have journals and information, and it’s hard to imagine how much knowledge and information that students have access to just through different databases and digital news.
“With the way the world works now and how students access information, I think our role and the library’s role is more of teaching them how to access that information, how to collaborate with peers, how to cite correctly and appropriately,” he continued. “I think the library has moved to become a manager of technology.”
While the Learning Commons is functioning and open to students, Shockey said that some details are still in the works, such as continuing to install the updated computers, assembling the new 3-D printer and hanging student artwork around the space.
Berrios praised Shockey’s commitment to the Learning Commons upgrades, crediting her as the project’s top proponent over the years.
“(The Learning Commons) is her passion,” Berrios said. “She’s been pushing… to make it what it is today, and she’s done a really good job.”
Shockey and Berrios both expressed their gratitude toward Superintendent John Robert and the Hatfield School Committee, as well as the students, faculty and community members who contributed to the project.
“This was a community endeavor,” Shockey said. “Everyone at Smith Academy and in the community too had something to say about this space. I didn’t do this, it wasn’t my design. It was all of us together.”
Jacquelyn Voghel can be reached at jvoghel@gazettenet.com.