Heritage Elementary School Celebrates New 21st Century Learning Commons

Monday, October 23, 2017
Heritage Elementary

Heritage Elementary School hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony last week to celebrate the opening of its brand new Learning Commons which features flexible seating to support 21st century learning. The event was held to unveil the newly-transformed library to students and to thank The Elite OC for providing at $10,000 donation which made the renovation possible. The Elite OC is a non-profit organization that brings young professionals together to make a positive impact on the local community.

Garden Grove Unified School District (GGUSD) Board of Education President Lan Nguyen and Trustee Teri Rocco joined with Elite OC board members; Sergio Contreras, Director for Orange County United Way; GGUSD Superintendent Gabriela Mafi, Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Sara Wescott; Principal Michelle Pinchot; Assistant Principal Chris Holland; district and school staff for the ribbon cutting event. Contreras helped connect the school with Elite OC, which was already partnered with the United Way.

“This new Learning Commons will benefit children by cultivating an environment that promotes collaboration and teamwork,” said Nguyen. “Flexible seating helps students take greater ownership over their learning by giving them more choices about where their learning takes place.”

The flexible seating environment in the Learning Commons features chairs of all shapes and sizes, cushions, work stations on the floor and unique tables that you can write on with markers. Since Heritage Elementary School has a 1:1 student to device ratio, students are able to bring the devices to the Learning Commons and choose their own workspace.

During the tour, one student gave the Learning Commons her stamp of approval stating, “it is like a new world of childhood wonder.”