糖心少女 / K-12 + Higher Education Market Coverage Thu, 12 Nov 2026 22:38:05 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.4 /wp-content/uploads/2026/01/cropped-SCN_favicon-32x32.png 糖心少女 / 32 32 Sound-Absorbing Acoustic Panels /2026/11/13/sound-absorbing-acoustic-panels/ Fri, 13 Nov 2026 14:00:46 +0000 /?p=56001 LAMVIN has introduced Sonic Theater Board, a rigid, black sound-absorptive material designed to reduce reverberation and improve acoustic comfort in educational environments. Suitable for classrooms, auditoriums, performing arts centers, lecture halls and other shared learning spaces, the lightweight product helps improve speech intelligibility while offering flexible installation options. Sonic Theater Board can be cut to...

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LAMVIN has introduced Sonic Theater Board, a rigid, black sound-absorptive material designed to reduce reverberation and improve acoustic comfort in educational environments. Suitable for classrooms, auditoriums, performing arts centers, lecture halls and other shared learning spaces, the lightweight product helps improve speech intelligibility while offering flexible installation options. Sonic Theater Board can be cut to size on-site using a standard utility knife and accommodates virtually any ceiling grid, making it suitable for new construction and renovation projects. Available in standard 4-by-8-foot boards and 2-by-2-foot or 2-by-4-foot tiles, the product comes in 1-inch and 2-inch thicknesses with 3-pound and 6-pound density options. The boards carry a Class A fire rating under ASTM E84 and support multiple mounting methods.听

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McMillan Pazdan Smith Announces K-12 Practice Promotions /2026/11/13/mcmillan-pazdan-smith-announces-k-12-practice-promotions/ Fri, 13 Nov 2026 14:00:00 +0000 /?p=56004 McMillan Pazdan Smith has promoted Ben Thompson to Chief Practice Officer and named Michelle Smyth to succeed him as K-12 Practice Leader.听 Thompson will oversee architectural quality, strategy and delivery across the firm. He led its K-12 practice for eight years, during which the team helped more than 50 school districts complete nearly 400 projects...

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McMillan Pazdan Smith has promoted Ben Thompson to Chief Practice Officer and named Michelle Smyth to succeed him as K-12 Practice Leader.听

Thompson will oversee architectural quality, strategy and delivery across the firm. He led its K-12 practice for eight years, during which the team helped more than 50 school districts complete nearly 400 projects and secure billions in school improvement funding.听

He also helped develop a proprietary tool supporting districts鈥� facilities planning and capital investment decisions.听

鈥淏en has demonstrated highly successful leadership in delivering thoughtful, high-quality and forward-thinking design outcomes for the clients, campuses and communities we are so appreciative to serve,鈥� McMillan Pazdan Smith CEO Chad Cousins said .听

Smyth takes over a practice with K-12 market leaders and principals in Alabama, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina and South Carolina.听

Smyth鈥檚 appointment follows her work as a project manager and principal architect focused on K-12 projects in the firm鈥檚 Charleston, S.C., office. Her portfolio spans new school and community projects across the Southeast, along with historic renovations in downtown Charleston.听

Smyth is a member of the 糖心少女 Editorial Advisory Board.听

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Interior Doors Remain a Cornerstone of Enhanced Security /2026/11/12/interior-doors-remain-a-cornerstone-of-enhanced-security/ Thu, 12 Nov 2026 14:00:41 +0000 /?p=55995 Vital for fire and life safety, cross-corridor fire doors can support enhanced security when specified mindfully. | Photo Credit (all): Courtesy of Technical Glass Products听 By Devin Bowman听 Learning outcomes often improve when students engage with topics in multiple ways 鈥� written responses, discussions, a skills test and so forth. Each path works independently and...

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Vital for fire and life safety, cross-corridor fire doors can support enhanced security when specified mindfully. | Photo Credit (all): Courtesy of Technical Glass Products听

By Devin Bowman听

Learning outcomes often improve when students engage with topics in multiple ways 鈥� written responses, discussions, a skills test and so forth. Each path works independently and collectively to support learners.听

Similarly, safer school design layers multiple security measures to improve its overall efficacy. Recommended by the Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS), a multidisciplinary organization that develops leading practices for school safety, layered security measures help defend against threats from multiple points on the property. For instance, well-maintained fences can deter and delay external threats. In conjunction, code-compliant corridor and classroom doors can help protect occupants from threats within the building.听

In fact, due to their ubiquity, doors are 鈥渙ne of the most heavily used and critically important鈥� aspects of a layered approach to safer school design, according to PASS. This builds on the Sandy Hook Commission Report that states an active shooter has never breached a locked door. Creating multiple, evidence-backed stops throughout the built environment can be an extremely effective security strategy.听

But the design and use of these barriers can be nuanced. The following offers an introduction to enhancing school security with code-compliant interior doors.听

The Role of Interior Doors in Safer School Design听

The describes interior doors as 鈥渢he final physical barrier between safety and harm.鈥� They are key elements in creating effective shelter-in-place locations.听

As notes, fire doors can also serve as barriers between occupants and violent threats, provided these opening systems are designed appropriately, which includes satisfying code-driven requirements for fire and life safety. Cross-corridor fire doors can include closing and locking mechanisms that can be activated during a security breach 鈥渢o limit an assailant鈥檚 movement,鈥� according to the Sandy Hook Commission Report. Many other doors that contribute to compartmentation strategies can buy time for faculty and students to engage in lockdown protocols and for first responders to arrive.听

Closing and locking hardware play a significant role in the ability of these doors to satisfy both code-driven requirements and best practices for enhanced security. But they are not the only considerations.

Fire-rated corridor and compartmentation doors can, and often do, include vision panels, sidelights and transoms. These glazing components provide open sightlines for visual connection and more robust monitoring, minimizing areas where students can be isolated. However, glazing components can be seen as weak points if not properly specified.听

How to Combine Security- and Fire-Rated Components听

glass door near school entrance
Security- and fire-rated glass doors maintain a physical barrier without blocking sightlines for enhanced security.

Whether an interior fire door incorporates small lites of fire-rated glass, is a full-lite fire door with large glazing sidelites and transoms or lands somewhere between, all the glazing components, like the rest of the door, will need to achieve a fire rating that meets the baseline requirements for fire doors. These ratings can vary between 20 and 90 minutes, depending on project specifics.听

When these doors are also intended to contribute to enhanced school security, it is crucial that the entire system is designed so one form of protection is not compromised for the other.

Many security-rated glazing components, including aftermarket films, are plastic-based and can burn quickly and intensely. If they were to ignite, they may reduce the capacity for fire-rated components to protect occupants.听

To sideline this concern, project teams can look to multifunctional, fire-rated doors that either incorporate compatible parts or are tested as a system to both fire rating and security rating standards. Doing so will help ensure that doors 鈥渇unction consistently in all scenarios 鈥� not just one,鈥� to quote PASS.听

A Proven Solution at an Oregon Elementary School听

An Oregon elementary school offers key insights into the use of multifunctional, fire-rated glazing in safer school design. A secure entry vestibule was one of several components of the school鈥檚 comprehensive safer school design strategy.听

Like cross-corridor and classroom doors intended for enhanced security, the openings to this secure entry vestibule balance multiple performance capabilities. By incorporating full-lite glass doors and wall panels, the vestibule allows front desk staff to visually assess visitors and monitor the main hallway for interior threats, both of which contribute to a safer school environment.听

These glazing assemblies do more than improve visibility. They maintain code compliance with fire-resistance ratings according to UL Solutions and ASTM International standards. They also offer resistance to forced-entry attack, providing a crucial time barrier between violent threats and occupants within the school. Because these systems use compatible components, the doors and wall panels offer defense against multiple emergency scenarios simultaneously.听

The glazing within this secure entry vestibule supports several facets of safer school design without compromising code-driven requirements for fire and life safety 鈥� both central concerns to enhanced security best practices.听

Key Takeaway: Doors are Complete Systems听

When looking at how doors support enhanced security, it is important that project stakeholders understand doors are more than a slab of wood or metal. They are complex systems that include frames, closers, latching mechanisms, hinges, glazing, locking hardware and much more. For fire doors, modifying any single part can create unintended risks and may void fire ratings.听

Evaluating and enhancing doors holistically helps ensure they can perform as intended during multiple emergency situations. This holistic approach often benefits from collaboration between designers, end users and proven manufacturers.听

Devin Bowman is General Manager of Technical Glass Products (TGP) and AD Systems.听

This article was originally published in the .听

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Lynbrook High School Adds 5,400-Square-Foot Makerspace /2026/11/11/lynbrook-high-school-adds-5400-square-foot-makerspace/ Wed, 11 Nov 2026 14:00:02 +0000 /?p=55990 A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held for a new makerspace at Lynbrook High, which will offer a permanent facility for robotics, engineering and design instruction for up to 175 students. | Photo Credit: Fremont Union High School District / Quattrocchi Kwok Architects听 A permanent, 5,400-square-foot makerspace facility replaces undersized portable classrooms and can accommodate up to...

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A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held for a new makerspace at Lynbrook High, which will offer a permanent facility for robotics, engineering and design instruction for up to 175 students. | Photo Credit: Fremont Union High School District / Quattrocchi Kwok Architects听
  • A permanent, 5,400-square-foot makerspace facility replaces undersized portable classrooms and can accommodate up to 175 users.听
  • Measure G bond funding supported the project, designed by Quattrocchi Kwok Architects and built by Blach Construction.听
  • Classroom, shop and testing spaces support robotics instruction, while daylighting, LED lighting, heat pumps and shading address energy efficiency.听

SAN JOSE, Calif. 鈥� Fremont Union High School District has completed a 5,400-square-foot makerspace at Lynbrook High School, replacing undersized, outdated portable classrooms with a permanent facility for robotics, engineering and design.听

The project was financed through the district鈥檚 voter-approved Measure G bond program. Quattrocchi Kwok Architects designed the building, and Blach Construction built the facility, which can accommodate up to 175 users.听

The district celebrated the project with a ribbon-cutting, according to an Oct. 29 press release. A multi-use classroom and building shop are paired with indoor and outdoor testing and practice spaces to support Lynbrook鈥檚 robotics program.听

The arrangement provides space for hands-on, project-based learning, with areas dedicated to both developing and testing student work. The permanent building also gives students and educators a collaborative setting for engineering and design activities.听

Superintendent Graham Clark said the makerspace would strengthen Lynbrook鈥檚 robotics and STEM offerings. He described the project as an investment in the district鈥檚 educational programs and welcomed students to the new space for the current school year.听

鈥淲e are proud to partner with FUHSD to deliver a tailored facility built to support creative design and hands-on learning,鈥� said Nick Stephenson, a principal at Quattrocchi Kwok Architects, according to the project press release.听

The design incorporates several features intended to reduce energy use and improve indoor comfort. Natural daylighting and high-efficiency LED fixtures address lighting needs, while electric heat pumps are paired with ceiling fans. Exterior shading is also part of the building鈥檚 sustainability strategy.听

Beyond technical instruction, the facility is intended to help students develop teamwork, communication, creative problem-solving, critical thinking and leadership skills. The release identifies preparation for higher education and future careers as additional goals of the learning environment.听

鈥淒elivering a purpose-built facility that directly supports STEM and robotics education reflects our mission as community builders,鈥� said Amber Emery, Project Executive at Blach Construction. 鈥淲e value our continued partnership with FUHSD and QKA, and look forward to seeing how this inspiring new space empowers students.鈥�

Lynbrook is one of the district鈥檚 five comprehensive high schools, along with Cupertino, Fremont, Homestead and Monta Vista. The district also operates an adult school.听

This article is based on an Oct. 29, 2026, emailed press release announcing the completion of the Lynbrook High School Makerspace Building.

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Queens School Expansion Adds 325 Seats, All-Electric Systems /2026/11/09/queens-school-expansion-adds-325-seats-all-electric-systems/ Mon, 09 Nov 2026 14:00:16 +0000 /?p=55984 An expansion project at P.S. 116Q in Queens, New York added new dedicated art, music and science rooms, a cafeteria and kitchen, and pre-K classrooms with age-appropriate restrooms. | Photo Credit: RKTB Architects听 A 55,000-square-foot, four-story addition increases capacity at P.S. 116Q by 325 seats, or roughly 60%.听 Upgrades include all-electric heating and cooling, rooftop...

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An expansion project at P.S. 116Q in Queens, New York added new dedicated art, music and science rooms, a cafeteria and kitchen, and pre-K classrooms with age-appropriate restrooms. | Photo Credit: RKTB Architects听
  • A 55,000-square-foot, four-story addition increases capacity at P.S. 116Q by 325 seats, or roughly 60%.听
  • Upgrades include all-electric heating and cooling, rooftop solar panels, a green roof and a street-level entrance with an elevator.听
  • RKTB Architects designed the expansion with the New York City School Construction Authority, with Navillus Contracting serving as the general contractor.听

NEW YORK 鈥� A 55,000-square-foot expansion and modernization of P.S. 116Q in the Jamaica, Queens has added 325 student seats while upgrading the school鈥檚 accessibility, building systems and instructional spaces.听

Designed by RKTB Architects in partnership with the New York City School Construction Authority, the four-story addition increases capacity at the pre-K-8 school by roughly 60%, according to the supplied news release. The school celebrated its reopening for the 2026-27 school year with an Oct. 9 ribbon-cutting.听

鈥淚t is not enough just to add capacity,鈥� Albert Aronov, RKTB principal and head of the firm鈥檚 academic studio, said in a release from RKTB. 鈥淎dditions to public schools represent an opportunity to address the changing needs of the communities they serve, and to reimagine how the physical plant functions.鈥�听

Completed over the summer, the project meets New York City鈥檚 Green Schools Guide standard, which is based on LEED v4.1, according to the release. Navillus Contracting served as the general contractor on the project.

The design replaces fossil fuel-based heating with all-electric heating and cooling using air-source heat pump chillers and custom variable air volume rooftop units.听The mechanical upgrades incorporate energy recovery ventilation and MERV 13 filters to improve indoor air quality throughout the expanded facility. Rooftop photovoltaic panels generate electricity, while a vegetated roof reduces stormwater runoff.听

Accessibility improvements center on a new street-level entrance, lobby and elevator core, replacing an entrance reached by a large flight of stairs. The lobby includes a security checkpoint and reception area, and administrative offices have moved to the ground floor to improve access for parents.听

Larger windows bring additional daylight into classrooms and corridors, with controls teachers can adjust as needed, according to Nelya Sachakova, an RKTB associate and the project manager.听

鈥淭he school鈥檚 art teacher mentioned to us how important this is, as she finds lower illumination levels to be effective in helping overstimulated students focus,鈥� Sachakova said in the supplied news release.听

The expansion also provides dedicated art, music and science rooms with new tools and equipment. A new cafeteria and kitchen replace the multipurpose room previously used for dining, while new pre-K classrooms include individual, age-appropriate restrooms.听

Aronov said the firm鈥檚 work with the authority emphasizes healthier learning environments and support for students with a range of abilities. He also said coordination with school leaders allows construction to proceed safely and on schedule while schools remain operational.听

This article is based on an emailed news release from RKTB Architects.听

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Little Appoints Schools Studio Principal Shana Hetherington as Partner /2026/11/06/little-appoints-schools-studio-principal-shana-hetherington-as-partner/ Fri, 06 Nov 2026 14:00:46 +0000 /?p=55981 Little Diversified Architectural Consulting has named Schools Studio Principal Shana Hetherington, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C, a partner with the firm.听 Hetherington has spent her entire 28-year career at Little, progressing from project architect to studio principal. Her practice focuses on early childhood and K-12 facilities and the needs of the students and educators who...

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Little Diversified Architectural Consulting has named Schools Studio Principal Shana Hetherington, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C, a partner with the firm.听

Hetherington has spent her entire 28-year career at Little, progressing from project architect to studio principal. Her practice focuses on early childhood and K-12 facilities and the needs of the students and educators who use them.听

Working directly with students and educators, Hetherington develops learning environments that accommodate different ways of learning. According to the firm, her approach emphasizes making effective use of available resources while creating a sense of belonging and supporting the whole child.听

Her team鈥檚 portfolio includes Greensboro Day School鈥檚 Center for Student Life, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation; Fort Mill School District鈥檚 Paradise Early Childhood Center; and work for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.听

Outside her architectural practice, Hetherington volunteers with the ACE Mentor Program of Charlotte, where she previously served on the board. Her involvement supports the program鈥檚 efforts to inspire the next generation of design and construction professionals.听

Hetherington was named Workforce Development Advocate of the Year during Charlotte Economic Development Week 2026 in recognition of her commitment to mentorship and career development.听

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Flexible Polyshell Classroom Chair /2026/11/06/flexible-polyshell-classroom-chair/ Fri, 06 Nov 2026 14:00:40 +0000 /?p=55978 The HON Company鈥檚 Scribble classroom chair combines flexible seating with integrated sensory features designed to support student engagement and focus in K-12 learning environments. A continuous looping texture beneath the seat provides a discreet tactile outlet for students who benefit from fidgeting or repetitive movement. Constructed from polypropylene, the chair features a contoured seat and...

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The HON Company鈥檚 Scribble classroom chair combines flexible seating with integrated sensory features designed to support student engagement and focus in K-12 learning environments. A continuous looping texture beneath the seat provides a discreet tactile outlet for students who benefit from fidgeting or repetitive movement. Constructed from polypropylene, the chair features a contoured seat and 11.5-degree flexible back that accommodates different postures and sitting styles. A built-in carry handle and stackable design simplify classroom reconfiguration, while smooth surfaces facilitate cleaning. Scribble is available in six base configurations, 16 polymer shell colors and 19 painted base options. The chair also carries BIFMA LEVEL 2 and Indoor Advantage Gold certifications.听

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Designing CTE Around the Communities It Serves and for What鈥檚 Next /2026/11/05/designing-cte-around-the-communities-it-serves-and-for-whats-next/ Thu, 05 Nov 2026 16:44:49 +0000 /?p=55971 Hands-on learning spaces equipped with industry-standard tools and technology help career and technical education (CTE) students develop real-world skills, while flexible facility design allows schools to adapt programs to evolving workforce needs. | Photo Credit: Kris Decker, Firewater Photography By Michelle Smyth, AIA, ALEP, LEED AP, NCARB听 A high school nursing lab built in 2011...

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Hands-on learning spaces equipped with industry-standard tools and technology help career and technical education (CTE) students develop real-world skills, while flexible facility design allows schools to adapt programs to evolving workforce needs. | Photo Credit: Kris Decker, Firewater Photography

By Michelle Smyth, AIA, ALEP, LEED AP, NCARB听

A high school nursing lab built in 2011 may bear little resemblance to the hospital environment students will enter today. That widening gap between classroom training and workplace reality is driving a wave of investment in career and technical education (CTE) as districts work to prepare students for industries struggling to find qualified workers.听

The demand is significant. Allied health careers alone 鈥� spanning occupations from medical assistants to veterinarians 鈥� are expected to see 1.9 million job openings every year through 2034, with construction, advanced manufacturing and IT facing similar pressures.听

Schools are investing millions of dollars in CTE to help close those workforce gaps and strengthen local economies. The challenge isn鈥檛 whether to invest; it鈥檚 determining where those investments will have the greatest impact and ensuring today鈥檚 programs, partnerships and facilities can remain relevant as workforce needs change.听

Shaping Programs听

The best CTE programs begin with the local labor market鈥檚 needs, not a floor plan.听

Direct and continuous engagement with local employers, through business luncheons, advisory councils and one-on-one interviews, should inform which courses a district offers and at what scale. Industry partnerships distinguish durable workforce demand from a temporary interest, while student demand remains essential for enrollment and long-term program health. A program built around one employer鈥檚 current opening or a trending industry risks losing relevance once that trend fades. The strongest programs are grounded in workforce patterns with staying power, not short-term trends.听

Partnering with community and technical colleges can turn isolated high school coursework into a clear pathway toward postsecondary credentials and employment. Avoiding duplication of programs a nearby district or college already offers matters just as much. Taxpayers deserve programs built around unmet needs, not redundant capacity.听

A comprehensive advisory process brings employers, educators and facility planners to the table early to answer key questions that should precede every programming decision: What skills does this community actually need workers to have? And how can facilities be designed to adapt to future needs?听

Those same local business relationships do more than validate course content; they shape how it gets built and equipped. Business partners can contribute equipment and funding, co-develop curriculum, provide instructors or mentors, and create apprenticeships and dual-credit pathways of their own. These partnerships can also strengthen a program鈥檚 case for bond support and grants by demonstrating clear employer demand and investment in its success.听

Design Facilities as Workplace Simulators听

In CTE, innovation should be measured by authenticity rather than novelty. A genuinely innovative facility mirrors the conditions students will encounter on the job 鈥� from equipment and technology to workflow, safety protocols and even how teams move through a space.听

This means labs are built for hands-on learning rather than classroom lectures. They鈥檙e not generic flex labs, but specialized spaces for healthcare, AI, advanced manufacturing, IT and cybersecurity. Visible, transparent workspaces create an environment that feels less like a traditional classroom and more like the professional settings students are preparing to enter.听

Achieving that authenticity starts with decisions made long before a ribbon-cutting. Because equipment decisions are facility decisions, product and equipment vendors need a seat at the planning table alongside educators and architects. The machinery, software and safety systems a supplier can provide can dictate what a lab can realistically teach, and their early involvement avoids costly retrofits later.听

CTE machinery at Wagener Salley High School
The machinery, software and safety systems a supplier can provide can dictate what a lab can realistically teach, and their early involvement avoids costly retrofits later. | Photo Credit: Keith Isaacs

The building itself can teach, too. Designers can selectively expose and label mechanical, electrical and structural systems so construction, engineering and trades students can study the building they occupy. A glass wall into the mechanical room turns a lecture point into something tangible. A dashboard displaying the building鈥檚 energy or water use turns facilities data into a live sustainability case study. Done well, the facility becomes a full-scale teaching tool for the trades students are training for.听

Authenticity brings real design consequences. A lab that functions like a fabrication shop, hospital floor or data center also inherits workplace safety and technology requirements. Safety must be embedded through clear zoning, proper ventilation, machine guarding, supervising sightlines and emergency shutoffs 鈥� not added after equipment is selected.听

Technology planning must account for equipment not yet specified. This requires electrical capacity with room to grow, robust wired and wireless connectivity and secure network segmentation. Facilities, IT and instructional staff need a seat at the same table during design, not a handoff after the fact.听

Design Flexibility听

A CTE facility designed too tightly around today鈥檚 industry needs can become obsolete long before the building reaches the end of its useful life. Some of the careers a facility will need to prepare students for in 10 to 25 years don鈥檛 exist yet, which makes the challenge even harder. Project teams should design spaces that can flex to accommodate industries the district hasn鈥檛 planned for, not just the ones on today鈥檚 roadmap.听

Infrastructure should adapt as programs, equipment and technologies change. Convertible labs, reconfigurable power and data systems and adaptive reuse can give districts room to evolve without requiring major renovations each time workforce needs shift.听

For architects and contractors, that translates into modular casework, movable partitions and accessible chases for power and data that facilities teams can reconfigure without a full renovation.听

Take a district that built a CTE wing in its high school around a bank of convertible labs. The spaces were designed with shared power, data and ventilation infrastructure rather than systems tied to a single program. One lab opened as a computer-aided drafting and engineering-design studio, but a decade later, student interest and regional workforce needs shifted toward healthcare. The district now wants to convert the space into a health-science simulation lab. Because the room was never hardwired to one curriculum, the conversion requires new casework and equipment rather than a structural renovation.听

Some specialization is unavoidable and often desirable, particularly when authentic training requires industry-specific equipment, ventilation, utilities or safety systems. But hardwiring every room to one piece of equipment or curriculum creates unnecessary risk. Planners should consider which parts of the building will be expensive or difficult to change.听

Build for Today鈥檚 Workforce and Tomorrow鈥檚 Unknowns听

No district can predict what its labor market will need 10 or 20 years from now, and trying to design around a perfect forecast is the wrong goal. The stronger strategy is to create CTE programs that stay closely connected to employers, and facilities that can absorb change without sacrificing the authenticity students need today.听

The best CTE environments aren鈥檛 the ones designed to become anything. They are the ones designed with enough specificity to prepare students for real work today and enough adaptability to add new programs as technology paves the way for new careers or additional workforce needs arise.听

Michelle Smyth, AIA, ALEP, LEED AP, NCARB, is a K-12 Practice Leader at McMillan Pazdan Smith and a member of the 糖心少女 Editorial Advisory Board.听

This article was originally published in the .

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University of Idaho Celebrates Ribbon Cutting for 451-Bed Vandal Village /2026/11/04/university-of-idaho-celebrates-ribbon-cutting-for-451-bed-vandal-village/ Wed, 04 Nov 2026 14:00:25 +0000 /?p=55968 A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Oct. 26 for the new 451-bed Vandal Village apartment community for graduate students and student families at the University of Idaho. | Photo Credit: Leah Reitcheck, University of Idaho听 Vandal Village provides 451 beds for graduate students and student families in a 200,000-square-foot apartment community.听 Gilbane Development and Rocky Mountain...

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A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Oct. 26 for the new 451-bed Vandal Village apartment community for graduate students and student families at the University of Idaho. | Photo Credit: Leah Reitcheck, University of Idaho听
  • Vandal Village provides 451 beds for graduate students and student families in a 200,000-square-foot apartment community.听
  • Gilbane Development and Rocky Mountain Companies led development, with Lydig as contractor and Integrus and Design Collective as architects.听
  • The broader housing program includes renovations at Wallace Residence Center and Theophilus Tower, with phased completion scheduled through August 2027.听

MOSCOW, Idaho 鈥� The University of Idaho, Gilbane Development and Rocky Mountain Companies celebrated a ribbon cutting for Vandal Village, a 451-bed apartment community for graduate students and student families.听

The 200,000-square-foot development contains 240 apartments and is part of a larger effort combining new housing construction with renovations to existing campus residence halls.听

Vandal Village allocates 232 beds to graduate students and 219 to married and parenting students. Apartments come furnished and include wireless internet, air conditioning, washers and dryers, and full-size kitchens with dishwashers. The community allows pets and includes a shared center with areas for studying, collaboration and social activities.听

Gilbane Development and Idaho-based Rocky Mountain Companies served as the master developer team. Lydig was the contractor, while Integrus and Design Collective provided architectural services.听

The university鈥檚 identifies the new-construction component as South Hill and describes a wider program addressing both graduate and undergraduate housing needs. 听

At Wallace Residence Center, planned renovations cover 1,056 beds along with lounges, study areas and other common spaces. Work at the 11-story Theophilus Tower encompasses 394 beds, updated shared facilities and study spaces, and the addition of air conditioning to support year-round occupancy. Phased completion of those renovations is scheduled from August 2025 through August 2027.听

The program is financed through university-issued long-term bonds approved by the Idaho State Board of Education. The university will retain responsibility for operating and managing the new and renovated housing, including leasing, residence life staffing and maintenance.听

The university said the upgrades respond to aging housing facilities and growing enrollment, with graduate students and postdoctoral researchers among the groups the university seeks to attract and retain. Sustainability and energy efficiency are stated priorities for new construction and renovations. 听

“Vandal Village underscores our continued dedication to delivering high-quality student housing communities designed for student success,” said听Geoff Eisenacher, Executive Development Director, Gilbane Development, according to a press release from Gilbane.听“We’re proud to have partnered with the University of Idaho to advance their campus housing goals and deliver modern apartments that give graduate students and student families a place that supports how they actually live and study.鈥�听

Brian Foisy, the university鈥檚 Vice President for Finance and Administration, said the apartments reflect an effort to balance long-term campus planning with improvements that students can use now.听

鈥淥ur responsibility is to plan for the university’s future while delivering improvements students can use today. Vandal Village puts that investment into practice, providing furnished apartments for graduate students and families as part of a broader effort to improve campus housing,鈥� Foisy said, according to Gilbane鈥檚 release.听

This article is based on an emailed press release from Gilbane dated Oct. 26, 2026, and information from the .听

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The Canvas Data Breach and its Impact on Student Records: Steps to Take to Protect Against Future Attacks /2026/11/03/the-canvas-data-breach-and-its-impact-on-student-records-steps-to-take-to-protect-against-future-attacks/ Tue, 03 Nov 2026 14:00:54 +0000 /?p=55944 After a recent cybersecurity breach involving student records affected institutions across the country, it鈥檚 critical that school districts implement systems to protect against future attacks. | Photo Credit: Adobe Stock Recently, the threat group ShinyHunters breached Instructure, the company behind Canvas, stealing student records affecting institutions nationwide. The financially motivated group, previously linked to breaches...

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After a recent cybersecurity breach involving student records affected institutions across the country, it鈥檚 critical that school districts implement systems to protect against future attacks. | Photo Credit: Adobe Stock

Recently, the threat group ShinyHunters breached Instructure, the company behind Canvas, stealing student records affecting institutions nationwide. The financially motivated group, previously linked to breaches at Ticketmaster, Santander Bank and AT&T, typically compromises credentials or session tokens to access systems and steal data. Early indicators in the Canvas case point to abuse of a third-party integration, an often-overlooked vulnerability in learning management systems.

Canvas does not exist in isolation. Most districts connect Canvas to student information systems, single sign-on providers and instructional tools. Each connection creates a potential entry point if credentials are compromised or access is misconfigured. These integrations are often configured once and rarely reviewed, leaving cloud-hosted education platforms vulnerable.

The Student Data-Specific Problem

Unlike credit card data, stolen student records cannot simply be canceled and reissued. They contain birthdates, addresses, parent contact information, disability and accommodation records, disciplinary history and sometimes Social Security numbers. A student whose record is stolen at 12 may not encounter the consequences until applying for a car loan at 22.

The breach of Canvas is particularly damaging in the education context because of what听the听Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act听(FERPA)听does and does not require. FERPA prohibits unauthorized disclosure of student records and gives parents and eligible students the right to be notified when records are shared without consent. But the law was written long before cloud-hosted platforms existed. It has no mandatory听breach听notification deadline and sets no听minimum-security听standard for how institutions must protect student data. Following a breach, districts must determine what was accessed and what to disclose, often without prior experience navigating either challenge.

Why Commercial Solutions Miss the Mark听

Cybersecurity breach-response playbooks largely target financial services and healthcare, where PCI-DSS and HIPAA have established incident response procedures. Education lacks an equivalent framework, and commercial vendors often cater to enterprises with legal teams, PR departments and existing retainers. A rural district with 3,000 students, one IT administrator and no dedicated security staff lacks those resources.

The other gap is logging. Most districts have no centralized record of what their Canvas instance is doing. Canvas does maintain audit logs of user activity, data exports, and API calls, but many districts are not collecting those logs anywhere outside the platform. When a breach occurs and a forensic team asks which student records were accessed and over what timeframe, the honest answer for most districts is that they don鈥檛 know and may never know because the logs no longer exist.

What to Do Now

The time to answer the听hard questions听is before the phone call comes, not after.听Here鈥檚听where听to focus:

  • Know your data map. Document what student data is stored in Canvas. Some districts store minimal information, while others connect Canvas to their student information systems, putting full student records within reach. Without knowing what data Canvas holds, you cannot tell families what was exposed.
  • Check your integration inventory. Inventory every third-party tool connected to Canvas, including learning tools interoperability (LTI) tools, single sign-on (SSO) providers and student information system (SIS) data syncs. Review each integration’s permissions, access history and activity logs. Stale or over-permissioned integrations allow attackers to move between systems without triggering obvious alerts.
  • Get your logs off the platform.听 Canvas activity logs stored only within the platform create a single point of failure for incident evidence. Work with IT staff or a managed security provider to export and retain at least 12 months of login events, data export records and application programming interface (API) activity in a separate system.
  • Fix your vendor contract language.Your data processing agreement with Instructure and any learning management system (LMS) you evaluate in the听future听should clearly state what student data the vendor stores, where it鈥檚听stored, how long it鈥檚听retained, and how quickly they鈥檒l听notify you in the event of a breach. Some vendor agreements use 30-day notification windows buried in boilerplate language.听That鈥檚听not acceptable when you have an obligation to families. Push for 48 to听72 hours.
  • Run a tabletop听exercise听before you need it. A 90-minute breach-response exercise with your superintendent, IT lead, legal counsel and communications staff can expose gaps in communication plans, notification triggers and internal escalation procedures before an actual incident.

Guidance for Parents

If your child’s school has notified you of involvement in the Canvas breach, request a child identity protection freeze through Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Because minors typically have no credit file, identity fraud can go undetected for years. A free credit freeze prevents new credit files from being opened in their name.

Keep your district’s breach notification letter as documentation if fraud surfaces later. Enroll in any identity monitoring services offered by your district or state, and set a reminder to check your child’s credit file when they turn 18. That first check may prove more valuable than short-term monitoring.

Procurement Guidance for Future Evaluations

School districts evaluating any student-facing platform should require vendors to provide a data processing agreement before signing. It should define what student data is stored, where, and for how long. It should address sub-processor relationships听(the other vendors the LMS relies on), and it should include a breach notification timeline measured in hours, not weeks. Vendors who听can鈥檛听produce a current SOC2听Type II report or a recent penetration test summary on request should be treated as a procurement risk.听And听a SOC2 report doesn鈥檛听necessarily mean their security posture is听good;听it means听they鈥檙e听doing what they say听they鈥檙e听doing,听and an independent firm has verified it.听You need to read the SOC2 report and understand what security controls are in place.

Justin Fimlaid is CEO and Founder of nuHarbor.

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