With the help of students, Principal Michelle Nizen cut the ribbon on Dec. 17 to celebrate the newly-constructed Bryden Elementary School building.
The building is the first completed phase of the $65 million elementary construction project that will also include a new Hilltop Elementary building as well as an early childhood wing opening next school year at Bryden.
Students, staff, parents and community members were excited for the opportunity to step inside the new modern space.
Nizen described her first reaction to the new building.
“[It was a feeling] of awe, pride and excitement for our staff and students to have these brand-new learning spaces,” she said.
Guidance counselor Topher Starzyk was pleased with the additional space.
“The size of it [is impressive], especially compared to the previous building,” he said. “Some of that is the novelty, but by square footage, it really is bigger. That was definitely my first impression.”
Kindergarten teacher Tess Lazerick agreed.
“It was exciting to have a brand-new space and to be among the first people in it,” Lazerick said. “That was really special for me.”
Second grade teacher Jessica Ezzi was also excited.
“It’s just so new, beautiful and big,” she said. “I’ve only ever taught at Hilltop and Bryden, and both buildings were built in the 1960s, so this is a huge difference. It’s very exciting to be in a new place.”
The new building also provides more space for the students to learn.
A second grade student from Jessica Ezzi’s class said she liked the how big the new building is.
“I get more tired but the new building is better, my favorite space next to the speech class with the new cushions,” she said.
Another second grade student listed features of the new building that stand out.
“The gym is bigger and the new building has smartboards,” she said.
Another student said she likes the new building, but sees a downside to the larger size.
“The new building is really good, but the walk is much longer from the bus,” she said.
“There are open areas and small nooks outside classrooms where teachers can meet with groups of students,” Starzyk said. “It’s also much brighter because of all the windows.”
Many teachers, including first-grade teacher Dana Shultz, are satisfied with the major technological update. All classrooms in the building come with newly-updated smartboards.
“We have an amazing smartboard that the kids can interact with,” Schultz said. “It allows us to bring so much more into our lessons.”
Lazerick explained that the building allows students to move between classrooms for different subjects.
“One of the biggest improvements is that all of the specialists now have their own spaces,” Lazerick said. “It’s helpful for students to go to different locations.”
“Having smartboards and all the new technology is a huge improvement for us,” Ezzie said. “[Students] love the new spaces, especially the gym, because it’s so big. Also, having a wing where our teams are close together and connected is a really nice change.”
Music teacher Shelley McKenzie said the upgraded technology has also improved her classroom experience.
“We all have smart TVs in our classrooms, which allows us to do more fun and interactive lessons,” she said. “The sound system is also a huge improvement, especially as a music teacher.”
Many of the Bryden staff are pleased with the updated technology that the new building has to offer.
The new building also includes collaborative spaces outside of classrooms where students can work in small groups.
“There are open areas and small nooks outside classrooms where teachers can meet with groups of students,” Starzyk said.
“I really like the learning commons,” intervention specialist Angie White said. “I think it’s neat for students to have a space outside of their classrooms where they can gather and collaborate.”
Ezzi said the new building has created a fresh enthusiasm among staff and students.
“There’s a new energy that comes with being in such a new space,” she said.
Nizen said the building also provides spaces that support reading and student comfort.
“Having special nooks and cozy spaces where students can curl up with a book or buddy to read helps foster that love of learning,” she said.
While the building is larger, many staff members said the transition has gone smoothly. Starzyk said the most important part of the school has remained the same.
“The kids and staff are still the same, and that’s what really matters,” she said.
Staff members are excited for students to continue growing and learning in the new building. Nizen said the facility is a significant accomplishment for Beachwood schools.
“This building is the result of teamwork among families, staff, the district and the community,” she said.
Teachers believe the building will leave a lasting impression on students.
“Not many students can say they were the first second graders in a brand-new building,” Ezzi said.
