ROANOKE COUNTY (WSLS10)-- After nearly two years of work, construction at Glenvar High School is now complete. This weekend is the first chance for the public to get a look inside during an open house on Sunday afternoon.
It's been 50 years since Glenvar was built and since then, very little had been changed. From a new cafeteria, to a brand new science wing and updated designs inside-- the high school now feels like a brand new space for students and teachers to work in.
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For anyone who attended Glenvar or has been inside of the building before, you'll see that although a lot has been upgraded and changed-- there are some things that have remained the same.
"Some touchstone points will never change," says Principal Joe Hafey. "Our front lobby is iconic with the cascading staircases, that hasn't changed. When they walk through and see the upgrades, they're going to say, 'I remember when this was that, but wow-- look at it now.'"
Some of the updates spaces look more like a college campus than a high school, with seating areas that offer students a place to plug up their computers and get some work done before school or between classes.
"There are a lot of indoor spaces that students can utilize," says Glenvar Alum and Theater teacher, Steve Franco. "There are even some outdoor spaces with high fences and gates so the students can be outdoors but are still safe. It gives them an environment where they can work, but is not the standard classroom setup."
The changes aren't just cosmetic, there are a lot of technology updates that make it easier for students and teachers to work. Before the construction, a lot of the classrooms only had electrical outlets in the front and back of the room-- something that worked well when teachers used 16 mm or filmstrip projectors. Now that every student has a computer and there's new technology in the classrooms, the old setup just didn't make sense anymore.
"Educational technology has driven a lot of the changes we've put in place," says Principal Hafey. "Every classroom now has an active monitor and the technology infrastructure is second to none. It really is a great place to teach and learn."
An open house is taking place on Sunday afternoon, offering up tours to the public. The open house runs from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Click here for more details.