The new hut, now called the School Kids Learning Lab, is completely furnished to meet the needs of current students.
Pam Dudding
Contributing writer
For many older citizens in Craig County, they vividly remember the Quonset Hut. It was where many attended first and second grades or ate lunch every day at school.
Back then, second through 12-grade levels were in the one New Castle High School, except for the classes that were in the “Hut.”
Because it wasn’t used by the county over the years, its condition became worsened. In fact, many called it an ugly green eyesore.
However, the Craig County Child Care Center (CCCCC) purchased the property from the County several years ago, with a new vision in mind.
“We, the Childcare Center Board and the Craig County Youth & Community Services, envisioned a larger space for the school-age children that would allow them a ‘big kid’ area separate from the younger children,” said Executive Director Teresa Oliver.
Wishes were granted and they received a grant from the United Way of Roanoke Valley, UWRV, to expand care for school-age children through the pandemic and are excited to be able to offer their services to more kids again.
“After all fire inspections, licensing and health inspections were completed, we are super proud to have saved this great old space and made it usable for future kids,” said Oliver.
She added that they are grateful to UWRV for the funding and Kevin Bevins Construction for getting it done on such a timely manner. They received the grant in mid-December, and he completed his work in mid-February.
Oliver noted, “Both the teaching staff and the children have been closely waiting and watching the progress Mr. Bevins and his crew have been doing and eagerly awaiting this new big space.”
The new building is officially under the Craig County Child Care Center’s license, but is referred to as the School Kids Learning Lab and is being used for children ages five through 12.
“This will serve as a before and after school-age classroom currently, but full-day services once school is out,” Oliver noted. “The new learning lab affords the school kids their own space not shared with “little kids”, as this allows them their own “big kid” areas.”
They have also received five new laptops for the children to use for homework and reading programs and are patiently awaiting new Wi-Fi boosters to arrive so they can install them, as well as a water fountain which is on back order. Oliver added that though they cannot use it until after the COVID pandemic is concluded, they are excited to get it installed.
Now, since the school kids moved out to the Learning Lab, this has freed up space to construct a large motor room for the Infant – Preschool classes.
“This will allow the smaller classes to have a space to go to when bad weather permits them from going outside,” Oliver said. “We have been very blessed through our partnership with TAP Early Head Start that they were able to help equip this new large motor room with some great new equipment as well.”
When Oliver shared the old pictures of the Hut on Facebook and then the new pictures of the complete renovations for the Learning Lab, people responded with kudos, and many older folks recalled memories of their school days:
- I had Economics class in the building and was used for summer computer classes
- I remember chocolate milk and great pizza (when it was a cafeteria) – back when the only places to get pizza was Pizza Hut in Salem and Briz’s (in the ’70s)
- Many shared that is where they attended first and second grades. One remembered playing her organ for the classes while attending second-grade, laughing, “The acoustics were wonderful in that tin building.”
- I had Ms. Inge for first-grade in 1957
- It was also used as the Glee Club music room, Health classes and study hall
- Some even remembered the first custodians, Fleetwood Stanley and Mullin Smith
Many also sent Oliver compliments for turning “that arched ugly green thing” into a wonderful building which will be used by local children for many years to come.
“The New Castle High School was built in 1927,” Diane Givens said.
Patricia Carper added, “Mrs. Carper taught second grade in a Sunday School room at the Christian Church in the fall of 1945, then on the stage at the high school while waiting for the hut to be built. It will be 84 this year! (See the 2007 edition of the School histories by the Craig County Historical Society.)”
Oliver noted that before COVID-19, she enrolled many more kids at CCCCC.
“Now that the building is complete, I will be able to have capacity again,” Oliver mentioned before adding, “We do have openings to serve an additional 12 children, ages five to 12 years.”
Their full summer rate without discount is $100 weekly or $70 for before and after school care. They also have separate rates for just before, and just after school.
To enroll, simply complete an application, have a current physical and have the child’s birth certificate. Parents can also go to Smart2start.com for more information.
Oliver and her staff are excited to welcome the new kids to their childcare center.
