Murphy – A project that started in September 2019 in John Worden’s science classroom was completed and unveiled on Oct. 23.
The Oaks Academy students transformed Peachtree Elementary School’s former Bus 101 into the district’s new Parent Engagement Bus.
Any principal may reserve the bus for use. The bus, which is sponsored by federal programs, may be used for community outreach, parent engagement, plus bringing teachers to rural areas to provide academic support and enrichment to families. The bus has already been used by Murphy Elementary, Martins Creek Elementary/Middle and Andrews Elementary schools, and also was in the Welcome Home parade in Andrews and at Art Walk in Murphy.
The bus is wired with Wi-Fi, solar panel electricity, lights and a sound system. It can be used as a conference space or remote classroom, as well as a concession stand or movie theater.
The back of bus resembles a conference space, with two chairs and couch. The center of the bus has a work station. The front has bus seats facing tables. The exterior has wood panelling to help it look different from other buses in the area.
Worden and his class were given a $5,000 budget to refurbish the 25-year-old bus, which was taken out of commission due to its age. The class salvaged materials and used donations to save money on the project.
Superintendent Jeana Conley and Julie Higdon, director of K-8 curriculum and federal programs, had the idea to turn a bus into a rolling classroom after reading about a similar bus created by teachers in Chattanooga, Tenn. Conley welcomed Oaks Academy Principal Michael Noe, Worden and student Jason Wolfe at Thursday’s school board meeting to show board members the bus, named the LearnIn Bus.
“It’s something we’re really proud of,” Conley said. “I think it’s something that’s going to be a game changer for a lot of our students.”