Dedications and Open Houses
Community invited to tour schools following completion of school bond renovation
The community is invited to attend open houses being held to celebrate the completed renovations of Sam Barlow and Gresham High Schools. Details are below. Both schools were substantially renovated with funding from the 2016 school bond.
The events will feature self-guided tours of the buildings, student performances, and a ribbon cutting ceremony.
Sam Barlow High School Dedication/Open House
Date: Saturday, October 30 Time: 11 am to 1 pm
Location: SBHS-5105 SE 302nd Avenue, Gresham, OR 97080
Gresham High School Dedication/Open House
Date: Saturday, November 6 Time: 11 am to 1 pm
Location: GHS-1200 North Main Avenue, Gresham, OR 97030
(Enter building at main entrance on Division Street)
The events will begin at the front of each school with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The ceremony will be followed by time for attendees to participate in self-guided tours and watch student performances. Attendees will be required to wear masks and practice social distancing.
View the Detailed Agendas for Both Events
About the renovation project at Sam Barlow High School
The school bond funded significant improvements that enhance teaching and activity spaces and safety and security, while increasing the number of classrooms. A new two-story classroom wing features modern science labs. The wing includes a science courtyard which provides daylight to classrooms and an outdoor learning space. The performing arts wing is substantially renovated to increase room size, improve finishes, and provide modern teaching space for band and choir and a black box classroom. Auditorium and stage improvements include new seating and acoustics to provide a completely modernized theater. Safety and security improvements include a secure main vestibule, door sensors on all exterior doors, and an up-to-date camera system. Site improvements include improving safety by separating student/parent cars from bus traffic. The track and field were replaced and a 1,500-seat covered stadium built to create a vibrant sports complex.
About the renovation project at Gresham High School
The school bond funded the creation of a Learning Tower featuring 53 new classrooms including 8 science classrooms, a new band room, choir room, and black box theater. The construction at Gresham High School created over 200,000 square feet of new space. The renovation included a brand new gymnasium with a new weight room and new womens’ locker rooms. The school also features a brand-new, 550-seat auditorium with a glass front lobby that showcases the building on the corner of Main and Division Streets.The renovations also include improvements for modern safety and security, including a new vestibule front entry to the building and internally locking doors throughout the building.
In addition to the substantial improvements to the building, the construction crew took deliberate effort to incorporate historic elements from the original building throughout the facility. The school’s original wrought iron gates were refurbished and reused on the Main Street doors as well as displayed in the new commons area. In addition, historic seating from the original auditorium is sprinkled throughout the building. Construction crews also relocated the sages, bas relief sports murals, the muses, and the rosettes from the original Art Deco building, putting them on prominent display throughout central courtyards and near the entrances of the new building.
Learn more about the many other projects funded by the 2016 school bond at: www.gresham-barlowbond.org
Many thanks to the Gresham community for their support of the 2016 school bond!