CPS

Prussing Elementary School Annex

“If we want our students to receive the best education, then they must learn in the best environment. Today, we start to write a new chapter to do just that.”

– Prussing Principal Dr. George Chipain

Ernst Prussing Elementary School is known for its cultural diversity—the student body speaks 24 languages and comes from 37 countries. In 2018, the school achieved a “Level 1-plus” rating, the highest level in Chicago Public Schools’ performance rankings.

However, the temporary classroom buildings on the school’s campus showed a need for more space. Additionally, the 1926 school building had undergone nine decades of structural wear and tear, and its asphalt site was prone to flooding. The PBC’s work at Prussing Elementary School not only reduced overcrowding, but also repaired structural defects and reinvigorated the campus grounds.

The new annex at Prussing Elementary School is a 23,000-square-foot facility featuring two standard classrooms, a computer lab, science room, art room, and music room. The single-story annex also houses restrooms, a kitchen and dining area, administrative office and an elevator, creating a new, ADA-accessible route into the school.

The scope of work at Prussing Elementary School also included renovation work in the legacy building.  The old cafeteria, about the size of two classrooms, limited the number of students who could eat together, and slowed down kitchen staff. The new dining room and kitchen enable the entire school to eat meals over three lunch periods, improving staff efficiency.  The old cafeteria has been converted into kindergarten classrooms.

Structural repairs were made to the existing school building, including exterior masonry repairs and roof replacement. In addition, the existing modular buildings were removed, and a new parking lot, turf field, landscaping and paving were added to the site. These site improvements have dual importance: expanding the play area for students and managing stormwater to prevent flooding of neighborhood homes.

“The Prussing annex brings the extra space and modern facilities necessary for students and students to focus on their education. Prussing students now have a space that matches the first-rate education they are earning.”

– 45th Ward Alderman John Arena

Follow this project on Twitter @PBCChi #PrussingAnnex

View this project’s contract details here.

This project was included in the PBC’s 2018 Year in Review. Click here to view all the projects completed in 2018.

Lovett Elementary School Renovations

The PBC Board has approved a Partial Undertaking from the Board of Education for the Lovett Elementary School Renovations project.

The project is anticipated to include renovations at the existing Joseph Lovett Elementary School.

Follow this project on Twitter @PBCChi #LovettReno

View the construction contract details for this project here.

Locke Elementary School Renovations

The PBC Board has approved a Partial Undertaking Request from the Board of Education for renovations at Josephine Carson Locke Elementary School.

The project is anticipated to include exterior renovations at the existing school building: roof replacement, window repairs, and masonry and terra cotta restoration as well as interior improvements to address water damage and renovation work in the gymnasium. Site improvements are anticipated, including asphalt repairs, ADA accessibility upgrades, and landscaping.

Locke School, located on the northwest side of Chicago, is a level-1+ elementary school with an International Baccalaureate program that encourages students to build core values of discipline, tolerance, and respect. The school is named for Josephine Carson Locke, a progressive educator who maintained that the purpose of the elementary school was to develop well-rounded citizens. Locke emphasized the teaching of art as a legitimate subject because it stimulates the creative mind.

PBC previously worked at Locke Elementary School as part of the 2015 CPS Air Conditioning Program and the 2013 Kindergarten Modular Program.

Follow this project on Twitter @PBCChi #LockeReno

View the construction contract details for this project here.

Kenwood Academy High School Renovations

The PBC Board approved a Partial Undertaking from the Board of Education for the Kenwood Academy High School Renovation Project.

The project is expected to include renovations at the existing Kenwood Academy High School, including upgrades to the MEP systems, targeted roof repair, locker room renovations and new interior lighting.

Kenwood Academy is a four-year high school with an Academic Center for gifted students that start in the 7th grade. The school, which opened in 1969, has a total enrollment of 1,800 students. Kenwood is located on the south side of Chicago and serves students who live in the Kenwood/Hyde Park areas as well as those from surrounding neighborhoods.

Follow this project on Twitter @PBCChi #KenwoodAcademyReno

View the construction contract details for this project here.

Corliss High School Renovations

The PBC Board has approved a Partial Undertaking Request from the Board of Education for renovations at George Henry Corliss Early College STEM High School.

Corliss is an Early College Science, Technology, Engineering and Math school (ECSS) which enables students to earn both a high school diploma and college credits (as early as 10th grade). Our mission is to provide individualized supports necessary to ensure that all students are successful. The school, named in the honor of American engineer George Henry Corliss, opened in 1974 and joined the Chicago Public Schools’ STEM Program in 2012.

The scope of PBC’s work at Corliss High School includes targeted roof replacement and repairs as well as masonry tuckpointing and façade restoration. Limited interior improvements are proposed to mitigate water filtration damage. Site improvements may include parking lot upgrades, stormwater management infrastructure and associated landscaping.

The PBC built the original Corliss building in 1974 and renovated the science labs in 1992. Corliss was also renovated as part of the 2013 School Investment Program.

Follow this project on Twitter @PBCChi #CorlissHSReno

View the construction contract details for this project here.

Brooks College Prep Athletic Amenities

The PBC Board has approved a Partial Undertaking from the Board of Education for upgrades to the athletic amenities at Gwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory Academy.

The project is anticipated to include improvements to the athletic fields surrounding the school: the turf football/soccer field, track and field event area, and baseball/softball fields.

Gwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory Academy is a selective enrollment high school located in the historic Pullman district of Roseland. The school is named after Gwendolyn Brooks, a native Chicagoan and the first African American poet to win the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry.

This is the PBC’s second project at Brooks College Prep; in 2011 the PBC managed the construction of the school’s two additions.

Follow this project on Twitter @PBCChi #BrooksAthletics

View the construction contract details for this project here.

Waters Elementary School Annex & Renovations

The PBC Board has approved a Partial Undertaking Request from the Board of Education for a new annex at Thomas J. Waters Elementary School.

Waters Elementary School is a level-1 neighborhood elementary school that is recognized for its Fine and Performing Arts, Ecology, and Technology programs. The Lincoln Square school currently serves over 600 students of many different ethnicities, cultures and economic levels, and it has experienced an 86 percent jump in enrollment over the past 10 years, maxing out its existing space, and necessitating a new annex.

The project is anticipated to include the construction of a new annex as well as improvements to the existing school building and site. The new annex will be built on the northeast part of the school’s campus, replacing one of its two playgrounds. The addition will house standard classrooms, a music room, art room, a multipurpose room, restrooms, elevator, and a media center. Site improvements include parking lot upgrades, stormwater management infrastructure, landscaping, and a new outdoor play area. Some renovation work will take place within the existing school building.

Follow this project on Twitter @PBCChi #WatersAnnex

View the construction contract details for this project here.

Rogers Elementary School Annex & Renovations

The PBC Board has approved a Partial Undertaking request from the Board of Education for a new annex at Philip Rogers Elementary School.

The project is anticipated to include the construction of a new annex, as well as with improvements to the existing school and site.

Rogers Elementary is a Level 1+ Neighborhood School located in the West Ridge neighborhood of Rogers Park. The school was named after one of the area’s earliest settlers, Philip Rogers. The school was built in 1937 and received an addition in 1952. Rogers School is an ethnically, culturally, and economically diverse neighborhood school currently serving over 700 pre-kindergarten through 8th grade students.

This is the PBC’s second project at Rogers Elementary; the first was a 2006 campus park.

Follow this project on Twitter @PBCChi #RogersAnnex

View the construction contract details for this project here.

Poe Classical School Annex & Renovations

The PBC Board has approved a Partial Undertaking Request from the Board of Education for a new annex at Edgar Allen Poe Elementary Classical School.

The project is anticipated to include the construction of a new annex as well as improvements to the existing school and site to support the school’s increased enrollment.

Edgar Allan Poe Classical School is a Level-1+ K-6 school in the historic North Pullman community on Chicago’s South Side. The school was founded in 1905 to serve the children of workers of the rail car company in Pullman. In 1979, Poe became a selective enrollment Classical School, and it now serves a diverse population of academically talented students from all over Chicago.

Follow this project on Twitter @PBCChi #PoeAnnex

View the construction contract details for this project here.

Palmer Elementary School Annex & Renovations

The PBC Board has approved a Partial Undertaking request from the Board of Education for a new annex at John M. Palmer Elementary School.

Improvements at Palmer Elementary are set to include the construction of an addition as well as a new roof,  new paint in classrooms and hallways along with new lockers and floor tile. The modular-classroom unit will be removed and replaced with green space and a playground.

Palmer Elementary is a Level 1+ Neighborhood School located in Albany Park. The school was built in 1925 and is named after John McAuley Palmer, an abolitionist, General of the Union Army, and the 15th Governor of Illinois. Palmer expanded in 1997 and was renovated in 1998. In 2001, an 8-classroom modular was installed.

This is the PBC’s second project at Palmer Elementary School; in 2015, air conditioning was installed at the school as part of the CPS Air Conditioning Program.

Follow this project on Twitter @PBCChi #PalmerAnnex

View the construction contract details for this project here.