By Lookout Staff

November 22, 2011 -- Last Thursday's groundbreaking ceremony at John Adams Middle School (JAMS) in Santa Monica marks the official start of a $12.45 million dollar project to modernize the campus.

JAMS yearbook students, who interviewed guests and photographed the project and event for the 2011-2012 JAMS yearbook, documented the event, attended by school and district officials.

"Doing so provided an inside look at the project for students, parents, and faculty for years to come," school officials said..

The modernization project includes a new attendance office and a new art classroom, which will replace the old main office. The east wing, which was constructed in the 1980s, will be replaced with new classrooms, a new parking lot, and new lunch shelter.

The project will upgrade 12 existing classrooms and replace ten others, resulting in a net decrease of two classrooms. The project also will result in a net decrease of approximately 22 parking spaces at the existing campus. There will, however, be no change in enrollment as part of the campus improvements.

A new stage and seating area will be constructed at the Commons Space, and the fire alarm system will be upgraded to a fully automatic system. Two tennis courts will also be constructed on campus.

"The modernization project at John Adams Middle School reflects Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) criteria through solar chimneys, improved day lighting, air quality and natural ventilation, maximized energy efficiency, storm water treatment, and reduced water use," district officials said..

Among those attending the event were School Principal Eva Mayoral, JAMS alumni and Director of the Facility Improvements Office Stuart A. Sam, School Board Member Ralph Mechur, and Measure BB Advisory Committee Members David Kaplan, Bill Jepson, and Judith Meister. Architects and contractors also attended.