While our students and faculty embark on summer break, our Facilities team gets to work preparing SJS for the next school year. From yearly projects to new building updates, the team keeps SJS running smoothly and safely. Hereโs what they and others have been up to this summer to get the school ready for 2026โ2027.
Whatโs New at SJS
The biggest change for the building is the addition of a dedicated library in the Senior School, made possible by the communityโs support to Annual Giving.
โReading shouldnโt always be about an assignment or a test. We wanted to create a dedicated space where students could step away from the business of the school day, settle into a comfortable chair and simply enjoy a good book,โ explains Ms. Chee, Senior School Principal. โWe want students to see the library as their space. It is a place they can shape through the books they recommend, the stories they share and the reading experiences they have.โ
Additional updates this year included outfitting morning school buses with sign-in iPads, installing new furniture in the Grade 7 classrooms, and refinishing the Gunn Gym and Junior School gym floor.
Yearly Updates
With the hallways clear and classrooms empty, summer break is the best time to give the school its yearly refresh. โThere are things we do every year to keep the building in good shape,โ explains Alex Nagtalon, SJS Facilities and Transportation Manager. โThe important thing is to get the deep clean done first. Everything else follows that.โ
Things like painting, systems inspections and repairs from wear and tear are a part of the summer to-do list. The Drama Studio floor has been freshly painted, the roof repaired, the HVAC system updated and new water filters installedโamong many other things.
In spaces that are highly active with students, this yearly maintenance is crucial for the buildingโs longevity, as well as the health and safety of our students.
The IT team was also busy over the summer with important updates to our equipment and systems. Amid their annual maintenance and system resets, the team also tackled new capital projects and infrastructure upgrades this year, including the expansion of the 1-to-1 Device Program to include Grade 7s.
The creation of the Senior School Library also comes with the installation of โOliverโโthe new library system. Additionally, this year saw an upgrade to our internet, going from 1Gbps to 2Gbps.
Organization is Key
There is a long list of projects and each one requires some combination of cleaning, obtaining permits, acquiring insurance, hiring and working with contractors, organizing staff, managing resources and materials and doing physical labour; and communicating all that consistently with everyone involved, all while trying to stay within budget.
โOrganization is really important,โ Nagtalon emphasizes. โIt helps our new staff get up to speed quickly, keeps projects on track and helps us stay on top of everything.โ
Throughout the year, there are the daily needs of our staff and students that the Facilities and Janitorial teams supportโfrom hallways spills to providing design class with tools. The Facilities team has to be ready for anything, and we appreciate them for it.
โI always get a โthank youโ after weโve dealt with something,โ Nagtalon says with a smile. When asked what he loves most about his job, he says itโs the sense of accomplishment. โI love when we complete a task,โ he explains. โCrossing items off the list is really satisfying.โย
Facilities updates such as the new Senior School Library are made possible through the generosity of our community through Annual Giving. Your support enables initiatives that enhance the student experience, safety and well being at SJS. Help create future opportunities by visiting sjs.ca/support/annual-giving.
