From left, Soda Pop Campbell, 7, Kevin Liljestrom, 7, Aelle Willett, 7, and teacher Andrea Heffernan study outside the library at New York Elementary School, 936 New York St. The school recently got new classrooms, fresh paint and a new entryway as part of a brighter, technology-forward makeover.

Editor’s note:This story is the fifth in a six-part series preceding Saturday’s public tour of the recently completed construction projects in the Lawrence school district.

The city’s smallest school, with only about 200 students, New York Elementary in East Lawrence has the look and feel of a traditional neighborhood school. Approaching its white-columned front entrance, visitors to the more than 75-year-old school may not note many changes to the outside.

“Once you open the doors, you will find a building that is suited to today’s learners,” said the school’s principal, Nancy DeGarmo.

Upon entering, the first view of the school is of its renovated library and media center.

From left, Soda Pop Campbell, 7, Kevin Liljestrom, 7, Aelle Willett, 7, and teacher Andrea Heffernan study outside the library at New York Elementary School, 936 New York St. The school recently got new classrooms, fresh paint and a new entryway as part of a brighter, technology-forward makeover.

“The library is our show-stopper,” DeGarmo said. “The front of the library is glass so you see directly into the library.”

Previously, to get to the school’s library from the front of the school, students went down a hallway, turned a corner and entered through a nondescript wooden door. As part of the school’s renovation, the entire back wall of the library was knocked out and replaced with paneled windows and a glass entryway, explained Lawrence schools Superintendent Rick Doll.

“The library becomes the focal point of the school, as it should be,” Doll said.

New York is one of five elementary schools in which additions and renovations were mostly completed ahead of the new school year. Renovations at all schools include secure entrances; “hardened space” storm shelters with concrete ceilings; new heating and air-conditioning systems with classroom-specific adjustment; secure keypad-entry classroom doors; and attached bathrooms in kindergarten classrooms.

A sign hangs outside a new learning pocket that was created during recent renovations at New York Elementary School.

New York received other additions, including two classrooms and two learning pockets, as well as a new art room, music room and workroom. Another update is the separate kitchen and cafeteria, eliminating the need for the school’s gym to also serve as the student dining area. As with updates to other older schools in the district, renovations were made while trying to preserve the look of the building, Doll said.

“It’s an attempt to keep the feel of the old building, but with new, modern spaces,” he said.

Voters approved the $92.5 million school bond issue in April 2013 to improve facilities at all 20 schools in the district and build the new Lawrence College and Career Center, 2910 Haskell Ave.

One of New York’s new learning pockets is in front of the library’s entryway, and in addition to being used for small-group work during school hours, students and parents have been using the newly created open space to gather in the morning, DeGarmo said.

“I have heard many people comment on how welcoming our entrance feels,” she said.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony at the College and Career Center and a “Parade of Schools” will be this Saturday. The Parade of Schools will include the five schools where additions and renovations were recently completed: Langston Hughes, Cordley, Hillcrest, New York and Quail Run.