Global Learning staff, students say second building is more than extra space

NEW BEDFORD — "I wanted somewhere to put my glue sticks," said Global Learning Charter Public School technology coordinator and teacher Darlease Monteiro, holding up a yellow plastic frame sized to dispense the glue sticks kept in her new teaching space.

But between it being too thin and with too many openings for its cylinder-shaped contents to fall out, she isn't entirely satisfied with the design.

"I’m going to have the students figure out how to make a better version of it," Monteiro said as she led the way to show off the new 3D printers that created the item.

Weeks earlier, she was teaching out of a wheeled cart.

Global's new technology lab is one space within the school's new second campus building, named the Joan & Irwin Jacobs Center for STEAM Education after the New Bedford native who co-founded semiconductor company Qualcomm and his wife.

But it's far from being the only place within the former St. Anthony's convent that's technologically advanced. From its smooth-gliding elevators to its energy-efficient electrical heating, just about everything about the place emphasizes cutting-edge tech.

"I don't even know what all the buttons do yet," Global's Executive Director Dr. Stephen Furtado, Sr. laughed.

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A stunning transformation

After years of watching its construction from across the school parking lot, students and staff started populating the building on Feb. 13.

"It was one of those things where the answer was right under our nose," Furtado said of the site search that eventually concluded on using the 101-year-old building. Furtado credits his son, Global's Director of Business and Finance Stephen Furtado, Jr., for the idea.

"We hadn't given it much thought. ... Looking at a picture of what the building looked like when we first began to what it is now, it's almost unimaginable."

Furtado said the $11.5 million project that added 18,132 square-feet of learning space was funded mostly by donations, giving thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs, BayCoast Bank, Bristol County Savings Bank and others. The remainder has been funded by a $3.5 million loan, Furtado said.

What do the students think?

The new building is primarily dedicated to Global's high school grades, with younger students going in for certain specialist classes like tech lab, art and music. One underlying theme of its design is versatility, with many classrooms featuring nooks for students to work separately in isolation or in small groups, as well as multi-use "huddle rooms" throughout the building.

"It's great when students need a quiet space to work like on group projects or if they have to record something," said senior Maddox Merrey.

While the timing of the building's completion means she'll only have a few months as a student there before graduation, Merrey says she feels fortunate for the experience after having heard talk of a second building since she was in seventh grade.

"This had been on our radar for so long so finally being in this space is just completely amazing," she said.

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"You see less people walking by the doors all the time so I feel like it's much easier to focus," said ninth grader Noah Belli.

"It was very hot in there," 11th grader Hannah Vigeas said of the room where her Portuguese class used to be as she sat in its new home. "Everything feels more open here."

What do staff think?

Ashley McPherson, director of Global's College and Career Center, said her new spacious digs are a dramatic upgrade from the narrow hall-like space she'd been working in.

"This is a dream," she said as several students worked in different areas of the College & Career Center. "It really speaks to how they’re going to learn in college or in a work setting."

Monteiro said the new technology lab — which, aside from the 3D printers also boasts a GlowForge Laser Cutter — is suited to project ideas that weren't as feasible before.

"The tables are on wheels, so when I get into my crazy stuff like robotics or drones, we can just move them," she said, also pointing out the numerous extendable power outlet dispensers attached to the ceiling for easy electrical access from any point in the room. "I'm forcing myself to take this one day at a time, but there's so much I want to do."

Room for growth

While state education officials in the fall turned down Global's application to expand enrollment from 500 to 600, Furtado says interest in Global has never been higher.

"We've had 332 applications for grades 5-10. We've never gotten above 300," he said of the current enrollment cycle. "I think it's a reflection of what we do and of the new building."

Furtado said Global officials intend to try for an enrollment increase again sometime in the next two to three years.

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But for the school, now in its 20th year, Furtado and Monteiro say the vision of growth doesn't only apply to students.

"At some point I'm hoping to open this up to the community so small businesses can come in and take advantage of the equipment we have here," Monteiro said of the tech lab.

Furtado said discussions on that type of off-hours programming will likely take place throughout spring and summer.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Global Learning school's new 2nd building is more than extra space