"What we did on our Summer Vacation..."

Let the games begin...

2008-12-10T11:20:00.002-05:00

The new look gym is now being used for physical education, chapels, and athletics.

Against the Wall!

2008-10-10T18:12:00.000-04:00

Then, of course, the mats to protect our children as they run, jump and bang into the gym walls. These black beauties were custom installed.

An impressive final product!

Keep Looking Up

2008-10-01T18:00:00.000-04:00

The work to better soundproof and protect the ceiling was a messy job. Spraying the material involved hours of planning.

Inside the paint….

2008-08-27T16:06:00.001-04:00

The walls aren’t the only areas of the gym being painted.

With the first coat of polyurethane dry, the floor is now being painted with fresh, bold new striping and logo. It’s looking really great!

Done!

2008-08-27T16:03:00.001-04:00

With the installation of the stalls, the Junior High Girls’ Bathroom is ready.

And now, a word from our sponsor…

2008-08-20T19:03:00.002-04:00

All of this construction work would not be possible without – you. The patrons and other supporters of PCS are the ones who are making this happen. And these projects are just one element of a larger plan.

Wings Like Eagles is a multi-year, multi-phased, multi-million dollar educational and capital funding effort to continue to provide Plumstead Christian School a strong spiritual, academic and financial stability.

To date, Wings has made improvements and renovations that serve both the Peace Valley and the Plumstead campuses. These upgrades have enhanced the education experience in the school, and improved the learning environment for all students. In an effort to prepare for significant student growth in the future, and answer the need for an improved performing arts venue, aggressive building plans are now in place for PCS. After the school’s current mortgage debt is addressed through Faith Pledges and donations, ground is expected to be broken for the next phase of Wings Like Eagles:

>499-seat auditorium
>99-seat lecture theater
>Upgraded hallway area and other improvements

Contact Paul Ciotta, Director of Institutional Advancement at PCS, for the best ways to help reach this goal, as we prepare the next generation of God’s leaders. You can email, call 215-766-8073, or donate directly online.

Stripping down the Hardwood

2008-08-20T18:41:00.003-04:00

It’s long, hard work – but in the end, it’s gonna look great!

Workers stripped the coating on the gym’s hardwood floor, taking it right down to the wood. The black plastic bags are full of sawdust!! (Click for a larger view)

After the hard work was over, the first coat of sealer was laid on the floor. It will take a while to dry. As a result, Living Hope Community Church, which uses the gym for its worship services on Sunday morning, will be meeting outside on the field hockey practice field under a tent for the next couple of weeks. Hey, why let a little thing like this prevent worshiping The Living God?

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:25)

No Stalling Around!

2008-08-20T18:38:00.001-04:00

The Junior High Girls’ Bathroom is nearly complete…except for the element of privacy. We can assure all that the dividers will be installed BEFORE the first day of school on September 2.

Computer Lab Coming Online

2008-08-20T18:21:00.008-04:00

It was a big day for the new Computer Lab…as the CPUs were moved in for installation.

Russell Harwick helps carry in the heavy stuff, saving his dad (Pete, who is the Director of Buildings and Grounds) a few trips.

It didn’t take long for the room to be set up.

But Rich Burbage needed time to ensure all the units were running at optimum levels. In addition to the new Lab, the servers have been relocated, and the computing speed has been increased. And it’s all wireless.

Mats Off!

2008-08-11T17:35:00.007-04:00

The next phase of the gym project focuses on replacing the mats that adored the walls of the PCS facility for years.

How did they stick to the walls? Glue…and lots of it. It took arms and legs and a little oof to get those mats off the wall. With them, came the plywood that held them up.

Here's what all these mats look like from their "up-against-the-wall" position.

And as a bonus, modern doors will welcome students and visitors to the new look gym.

All Boxed Up...with someplace to go!

2008-08-05T17:58:00.004-04:00

The new computers have arrived!

Work continues to ready the computer lab for these new units, with their flat panel monitors and smooth-running power. In the meantime, they are safely housed in Technology Coordinator Rich Burbage's workspace and office – under lock and key.

Painting the Gym -- Looking Up

2008-08-05T17:40:00.006-04:00

It’s amazing what a coat of paint will do….

The walls of the PCS gym got a fresh layer of white paint – and it really brightened up the facility. The process is long and taxing; rather than spraying, rollers are the tools of choice.

Working on a scaffold is the safest way.

Roll (and Brush) on!

2008-07-24T18:17:00.008-04:00

Librarian and Teacher Mary DeClerico rolls on the first part of an artistic rendering near the door of the new cafeteria, as Spiritual Life Coordinator Dan Noble paints the door jam.

We’re not going to show you the final product – that’s part of the surprise!

Bathroom Work Resumes, Part 2

2008-07-24T17:52:00.002-04:00

After the tiling on the walls was complete, the next step was the floor.

Cafeteria Gets the (HDTV) Picture

2008-07-23T19:21:00.004-04:00

Director of Buildings and Grounds Pete Harwick (right) and Technology Coordinator Rich Burbage hang the latest addition to the new Cafeteria: a 46-inch HDTV screen. The monitor was a gift from the Class of 2008, and will be used for announcements, special presentations, and other relevant educational opportunities.

Bleacher Feature: Out with the Old

2008-07-23T19:15:00.005-04:00

To make way for updated, fan-friendly seating, the brown, old metal bleachers were removed. In their place will be motorized bleachers, making the chore of moving them in and out as easy as a push of a button.

Now, it's off to the dump.

Computer Lab Gets a Hand from an Alumnus

2008-07-23T19:12:00.002-04:00

After installing the sheet rock and the drop ceiling racks, work continues on the walls of the new Computer Lab. And yes, that’s Nathan Granja (Class of 2008) on the left – measuring twice, cutting once.

Bathroom Work Resumes

2008-07-23T18:53:00.003-04:00

Work on the Junior High Girls’ Bathroom has restarted. Here, new tile is being installed.

The Sign of Our Times

2008-07-21T11:14:00.003-04:00

We are humbled by the way God is moving at Plumstead Christian School…and how He provides for our needs during this project.

Please pray for the workers involved with the construction, including the many outside contractors who may not understand or have accepted the saving power of the Lord Jesus Christ. May the PCS family be salt and light for them (Matthew 5:12-14), so they can enjoy the riches in glory with Him (Mark 14:62)!

Looking up

2008-07-21T10:47:00.003-04:00

Workers take a hard look at the ceiling of the Gym, while taping the fixtures in preparation for painting. Several options have been investigated to economically cover it.

On the Ground Floor

2008-07-21T10:31:00.005-04:00

We were really "floored" by the new look cafeteria!!

Here, workers lay down new tile in the old APR 1 & 2. The revived gathering place the Junior and Senior High will be the central meeting room for many of the activities at PCS.

“Air” Lift – Very Cool!!

2008-07-21T10:15:00.006-04:00

Getting the new high-volume cooling unit on the roof over the new computer lab was more than a lift -- it took a lot of patience and practice to get it right (an important teaching here at PCS!).

The unit was securely connected to the boom crane’s hoist using steel cables. It was gently lifted off the truck (for safety!).

High in the sky, the unit was hauled up, and carefully maneuvered toward the roof. Imagine trying to tug and pull that air conditioning unit up a ladder (however, the workers that were doing the job told us – they have!!).

Then, the unit was positioned on its prepared pad, ready to be connected to the duct work inside the new computer lab.

Gym Improvements: Top to Bottom

2008-07-03T13:03:00.010-04:00

Our gym is our gathering place (and our showplace) for big events, games and special occasions. It’s currently the largest meeting place on campus. It’s a reflection on us for visiting students, parents, athletes, coaches and patrons.

Plans call for new bleachers, wall mats, and a ceiling, along with a repainted and refurbished gym floor. When it’s done, our gym will be a place for revived Panther spirit.

First focus was the cellulose treatment on the ceiling.

The ceiling's years of service to the school had to come to an end -- it was showing its age.

Every inch of the material had to be removed to prepare the ceiling for painting. It was a long, labor-intensive job.

And what goes up...must come down; workers sweep and shovel the material into garbage bags for proper disposal.

Click Here to Install…a New Computer Lab

2008-07-03T12:43:00.011-04:00

To improve our technological capabilities to address both expanding educational and communications needs, a major facilities-based upgrade to our computer facilities and infrastructure is absolutely necessary. After all, how else can we prepare our students to connect to an “e-world?”

Room 2A (which was being used as a math classroom) will now house redesigned and reequipped computer lab. To support the new equipment, the HVAC systems are undergoing an upgrade, and rebuilding the floor and ceiling.

Clair Lucas cleans up some cabling to prepare for the next phase of the renovation.

New ventilation is installed to help keep the cool new equipment...cool.

From Classrooms to Cafeteria

2008-07-03T12:35:00.003-04:00

This project can be called: “Back to the Future.”

APR 1 and 2 classrooms are being returned to their previous use as a central dining and meeting area. This will give students the opportunity to eat and spend time together, rather than being dispersed throughout the building during the lunch hour. Watch this space some of the BIG changes to this area!

Remodeling the JH Girls' Bathroom

2008-07-03T12:25:00.006-04:00

Improvements on the Junior High School bathroom were long overdue. The project will include a complete makeover – with new plumbing, tile, and partitions, as well as installation of new hand dryers. First step: the tile had to go.

Then, the plumbing and the pipes had to be replaced. Installing updated PVC under the flooring was hard work – but moved quickly.

Wasting No Time

2008-07-01T11:45:00.005-04:00

It seemed as the last student left the building, the work crews showed up to start the renovations at the Plumstead campus. They don’t have much time; there is much to do to complete these four major projects before the students start arriving for the first day of school on September 2.