The new Deer Creek Middle School is ready for about 800 teenagers to pack its halls and classrooms when school starts Aug. 14.
Built by Flintco Constructive Solutions on more than 40 acres of land on Sorghum Mill Road between North May and North Pennsylvania avenues, the 157,000-square-foot building is the $36 million fulfillment of the 2009 Deer Creek bond package, giving $142.1 million to fund 39 district-wide projects.
“It is one of the most exciting things I’ve ever been a part of,” said Sean McDaniel, district superintendent. “This sounds cheesy, but honestly when I get in the car, I can hardly wait to get to work.”
Upon entering the school through the main doors, the student or parent comes into the main hall, which immediately inundates them with an array of colors. A water fountain sits in the middle, acting as the figurative opening of the spring that flows throughout the halls of the school. The school was designed by Renaissance Architects.
“Some of the parents who have walked through have said they feel like they’re walking through a five-star hotel,” said Reuben Bellows, DCMS principal for four years. “Students don’t feel like they’re walking into a school, they’re walking into a nice building.”
The hall tells a brief pictorial history of Oklahoma with murals of the Devon Tower, the State Capitol and Land Run images. All 12 paintings were done by Oklahoma artist Scott Charles Henderson of SCH Murals.
“One of our goals right off the bat is to make students feel like the school has character or is comfortable,” Bellows said.
Three wings in the west end of the school make up the education portion. Large windows open both outside and into the hallways, where lounge chairs invite students to relax, socialize and — possibly — have class in an alternative setting, McDaniel said.
“Every room in the district has a SMART board,” McDaniel said.
On the east end is the main basketball court, the practice court, the wrestling room and locker rooms for every sport offered by the school, both boys and girls.
“Everybody’s got their own locker room,” McDaniel said.
The wrestling room, which McDaniel noted was larger than the high school’s, is also approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as a tornado shelter. He said the entire school and staff could fit in that room.
While standing in the large cafeteria area, McDaniel said the school has about 60 security cameras, and said more could be added.
And as he surveyed this massive project that has taken more than two years to complete, McDaniel said he is excited to fill the empty halls with students.
“My son will be a seventh-grader,” McDaniel said. “I’m tickled to death for him and all the kids that get to go there.”
Yet Bellows isn’t letting the majesty of the building distract him. He said among his laundry list of things to do this year is to get past the architecture, and move on to the education.
“I think our teachers and myself and our staff are more excited about what we’ll be able to do in the school because of what opportunities we have,” he said.
Local News
Related Photos
-
THAD AYERS | THE EDMOND SUN The main hallway at the new Deer Creek Middle School shows a pictorial history of Oklahoma with a planned waterfall constantly flowing (object at left). After two years of work, the 157,000-square-foot, $36 million school is ready for classes Aug. 14.
-
THAD AYERS | THE EDMOND SUN After more than 2 years and $36 million, the new Deer Creek Middle School is ready for classes Aug. 14. It about 157,000-square-feet and is located on Sorghum Mill Road between Pennsylvania and May Avenues.
Discussion
New Deer Creek Middle School set for start of classes
- Local News
-
-
EF-5 tornado called 'worst in history'
President Barack Obama pledged the federal government’s full support for disaster relief in what is being called one of the most devastating tornadoes in history. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has deployed a team to the state.
-
Edmond detective describes tornado devastation
Like other Oklahomans, Edmond Police Detective Marion Cain was keeping an eye on the weather Monday.
The storm, which produced the tornado began at 2:45 p.m., about 4.4 miles west of Newcastle and its 20-mile long path went through Newcastle, Moore and south Oklahoma City. About 10 minutes after it formed, it was already causing EF4 damage. Maximum winds of the tornado, upgraded to an EF5, were 200-210 mph, according to information released at 2:50 p.m. Tuesday by the National Weather Service. Its estimated maximum width was 1.3 miles. -
UPDATE: How to donate, find drop-off locations for relief supplies
Below is a listing of where donations may be taken in the Edmond area to help the Moore/Oklahoma tornado victims:
• The Edmond Sun is serving as a drop-off location for the downtown Edmond area. Supplies only may be dropped off at 123 S. Broadway and residents may use the backdoor to enter the building. Parking is available behind the building at the Festival Market Place. From 5-10 p.m. donations may be taken to Café Evoke, 103 S. Broadway.
• Edmond North High School is serving as a drop-off location for bottled water through today
• Memorial High School is serving as a drop-off location for food through today.
• Santa Fe High School is serving as a drop-off location for supplies such as work gloves, tools, etc. through today. -
Edmond high schools aid Moore, OKC tornado victims
Sometimes good things come from texting.
Monday afternoon, Sydney Richardson, who will be Santa Fe’s student body president next year, was driving home and it was raining. Once home, she talked to her mother, who told her about the tornado in Moore. Then she began seeing the damage on TV.
“It was devastating,” Richardson said. “We watched it all night long. I just felt like we needed to do something immediately.” -
City schedules debris collection for May 28
The City of Edmond’s Field Services Division of Public Works will be collecting storm-related debris from the May 19 tornado in accordance with the City of Edmond’s Emergency Operation Plan’s Level Two Response.
Affected areas where debris pick up will occur include in the area beginning one-half mile south of 15th Street to 33rd Street and from Boulevard Avenue east to I-35; and the Territories and Timberlake additions. Please see the map for clarification. Pick up is available for residential homes located within the designated boundaries.
Tree debris must be cut into no more than 6-foot sections and must be placed by the curb of the residence no later than 8 a.m. May 28. Crews will begin collection on Tuesday and continue until they have covered the area. -
Storm shelter inquiries up; customers take a number
After the horrific tornado set down in Moore Monday afternoon, storm shelter inquiries hit new highs.
Tuesday Ashley Cunningham, office manager for Red Dirt Septic on Waterloo Road in Edmond, and Mark Webb, owner of the Armor Vault Tornado Shelter in Oklahoma City, said their phones have been ringing consistently starting Monday afternoon. -
Insurers respond to Moore disaster
Insurers, like other agencies related to the Moore tornado disaster, are assessing the damage.
The Oklahoma Insurance Department has made an emergency declaration, allowing out-of-state adjusters to work storm damaged areas, said agency spokeswoman Calley Herth. It’s too soon to have tabulated damage estimates, Herth said.
“We are working hard to collect any and all numbers, but it’s just too soon at this moment,” she said. -
AG issues charity fraud and schemes alert
Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt Tuesday issued a warning for Oklahomans and donors around the country to beware of charity fraud and scams following the severe storms in Oklahoma.
-
VIDEO: Pres. Obama's remarks on the Okla. tornado
President Obama speaks on Monday's deadly Okla. tornado.
-
Photos: Aftermath of massive tornado in Moore
Storm victims were pulled from the rubble and residents began surveying the damage late Monday and early Tuesday in the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore, where a powerful tornado destroyed entire neighborhoods and left dozens dead.
- More Local News Headlines
-
DWTS Crowns a Winner
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill
Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House
Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor
Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
Olivia Munn Flaunts Her Bikini Bod
Britney Spears Under Fire Once Again For Being A Bad Mom
Arias Tells Jury What She'd Do if She Gets Life
The all-new Xbox One
RAW: Massive tornado strikes Oklahoma
Nidal Hasan paid $278K while awaiting trial
VIDEO: Teacher reunites mother and son after tornado levels elementary school in Oklahoma City
Okla. tornado survivor finds dog buried alive under rubble
Jennifer Lawrence Gets Naked and Painted Blue as X-Men's Mystique
Pickler's Dance Moves Cause A Stir
Obama to tornado survivors: The country stands beside you
Reporter Cries Over Devastation
