Changes to Brewer Island on display

Brewer Island Elementary School in Foster City opened up its campus to the public yesterday afternoon to show off its new modular classrooms.

The school has been transformed to accommodate more students and has added a new fifth-grade wing. More importantly, it has consolidated all six of its kindergarten classes into one courtyard.

Previously, the kindergarten classes were sprinkled throughout the campus, said Principal Alice Wycke. Now, all six classes face one courtyard and the children will have their own playground.

The improvements were made possible by the voter-approved Measure L, which earmarked $175 million for facility improvements in the San Mateo-Foster City School District. Brewer Island is one of the first completed projects.

"We are here to celebrate the generosity of the community,” district Superintendent Pendery Clark said.

Squeezing in construction at the year-round school was tricky, Clark said.

The school has grown from 540 students to 674 students in the past three years, Wycke said.

Classrooms were reclustered by grade-level as part of the project and new fencing was put up throughout the school. One student rest room building was modernized and awnings were installed above all new doors.

Thousands of feet of underground conduits and cabling for power and fire safety systems were also installed in preparation for technology upgrades at the school.

Foster City councilwomen Pam Frisella and Linda Koelling were at the event along with district Trustee Cathy Rincon and a host of parents and neighbors.

"It is a terrific display of organization,” Koelling said. "This will enhance the students’ ability to learn. They should enjoy their new surroundings. This is real good for Brewer Island.”

Brewer Island’s expansion allows children to stay in their neighborhood school, Wycke said.

District priorities for the bond measure include: Reducing school overcrowding by adding classrooms at existing school sites; making sure all school sites have up-to-date libraries, computer labs and classroom technology and; improving school safety and security, including student and pedestrian safety around school sites among others.

The district wants to build a fourth elementary school in Foster City because of increasing enrollment and is determining if can use some of the Measure L money to construct a new facility.

Bill Silverfarb can be reached by e-mail: silverfarb@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 106.