A busy summer for the Menands buildings and grounds staff has seen them undertake many projects, but none were perhaps as picture perfect as the art room.
The four-person team has been hard at work during recess deep-cleaning the school, stripping and waxing the floor, clearing outside vegetation away from the walkway and school entrance and generally making the school shine.
Additionally, outside vendors repaired cracked and dilapidated sidewalks around the school. The work is part of a two-year project that will continue next summer.
The masterpiece of the work, though, is the rehabilitated art room.
Maintenance staff joined art teacher Ryan Gottcent during the week of Aug. 4 in putting the room together and preparing for the return of students.
Superintendent Jennifer Cannavo said new furniture and repairs to the floor in the room make the learning and artistic environment a real, well, piece of art.
“The room was redone as part of the 2016 capital project, but the furniture wasn’t included. Now, you can say it is truly an art room,” she said.