Pritzker School in midst of multi-million renovation

Work on the auditorium as seen from the school's exterior

"The new renovations coming into the school are like a multi-million dollar facelift," said A. N. Pritzker Principal, Dr. Reese. "We have been in communications with the Chicago Board of Education about upgrades to the school since I have been here. It is all about capital improvements and this is tremendous.

Inside, workers work on lighting

"We are getting a new automated heating and cooling system throughout the building  that can be adjusted by going online. The auditorium will be getting in-floor run lighting. Next year's musical will be awesome!"

Physical education teacher and coach Ahmad Zughayer feels that the air conditioning is going to help the kids a lot, "They'll perform better. Our kids are smart but sometimes you have to push them a little. With the air conditioning they'll feel up beat and more eager to learn."

A small conference room was turned into a storage room for Dr. Reese's office content during the renovation

"Our new lighting system with its T-8 line includes motion detectors so the lights are not on if people are not in the room. Though the system costs more to install, it saves money in the long run due to its efficiencies, " continued Reese.

"I am so excited. It is amazing. It is almost surreal. I feel tremendously blessed. After such a rough start, things are falling in place. It makes you know that your work is not in vain. It makes you know that what you say and do matters and that people are listening. They may not be able to respond immediately but they are hearing us. They are accommodating our needs, insuring that we will be a better place in both physical upkeep of the building as well as what is going on inside the building."

Special Education teacher Paulette Flanagan was hard at work clearing her room with the help of Mosaic Church helpers

By the time the students return to school, renovations will be completed and the campus will have a new look too.

Dr. Reese packs up last of the material from her office

With all this good news, the school's budget figures are not perfect. As is true with the other Chicago Public Schools this year, the news was late in coming. Reese said the Pritzker budget is down by one position. Her good numbers, however, make her hopeful that she will be able to regain that position soon.

The school has three basic programs: Fine Arts, Regional Gifted and neighborhood. There is an extensive waiting list to get into the Fine Arts and the Regional Gifted Center.

Scott Venable and a fellow Texan help teachers move furniture into the center of class rooms

"Team Mosaic" takes a break from helping teachers

The budget was based on projections of 630 students with kindergarten numbers at half a day because the State funds half a day. Pritzker's program is full day. Reese is willing to take that financial hit because she believes that children need a full day of instruction to be competitive.

Enrollment at Pritzker has ranged between 600 and 650 for the last several years with a third coming from the neighborhood. A second third coming through a lottery for the Fine Arts program with the final third from the Regional Gifted program.