One of the biggest changes during recent renovations at Quail Run Elementary School is the addition of a glass divider between the school's cafeteria and gym.

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

Visitors to Quail Run Elementary will notice one of its biggest renovations from the parking lot: a gleaming metal roof that replaced the matte-blue one original to the 28-year-old school.

“That really improved the look of the outside of the building,” said the school’s principal, Samrie Devin.

Lawrence Public Schools Superintendent Rick Doll walks into Quail Run Elementary School on Friday, Sept. 11, 2015. A new metal roof was added during recent renovations to the school.

Inside is more to catch the eye. Walking into the building, floor-to-ceiling glass doors between the school’s cafeteria and gym allow both spaces to look in on each other. Previously, a solid partition divided the spaces, and the back portion of the cafeteria was being used mostly for storage, Devin said. Now, the view upon entering the school is much different.

“That really opened up that space very nicely and gave it a much cleaner, sharper look,” Devin said. “Now, the first thing you see is what we value the most, which is our students.”

One of the biggest changes during recent renovations at Quail Run Elementary School is the addition of a glass divider between the school's cafeteria and gym.

Additions also include two new classrooms and four learning pockets — small, break-out study spaces — equipped with “flexible furniture,” such as stools, benches and tables that can be rearranged. The students are enjoying the new spaces, which have been used for small group work and one-on-one tutoring, Devin said.

“The learning pockets are bright and colorful and the furniture can be easily configured to meet the needs of the different activities throughout the day,” Devin said, noting the pockets have also been used by parents and the after-school program.

A new classroom is one of two added to Quail Run Elementary during recent renovations.

Lawrence Public Schools Superintendent Rick Doll stands in a hallway near a Learning Pocket at Quail Run Elementary School. The pockets — small, break-out study spaces — were created during recent renovations at the school.

Quail Run is one of five elementary schools where additions and renovations were completed for 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.

Another benefit of the renovations is one felt rather than seen. The combination of the new roof and heating and air-conditioning system have made for better air circulation, which had previously been an issue in the building, said Lawrence schools Superintendent Rick Doll.

“Replacing the roof and the HVAC system helps improve the air quality in the school,” Doll said.

Improvements made to the heating and cooling system are a big part of recent renovation work at Quail Run Elementary School.

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

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.