CHICO – Pleasant Valley High School has received a makeover.
The project includes a new dining hall and kitchen facilities, five new classrooms, four new laboratories, a new administration office and fenced entrance, new quad area, interactive television and teaching stations in all classrooms, specialized student resources and staff offices, New bus drops included. , a new parking lot configuration to help enhance a safer student drop off, new exterior security lighting, campus-wide upgraded fire alarms, voice and intercom systems and industry-leading energy efficient technology and applications.
Ahead of the fall semester of 2021, the school had received funding for new programs and facilities to give students real-life experiences to take with them in the “real” world. The school, which was established in 1964, was given a makeover funded by Majors E and K and CTE grants. The cost was $16,209,000. The school currently has a population of 1,800 students.
Rainforth Grau Architects in Sacramento designed the facilities and the contractor was the Chico company Slater & Son.
One of the features is a new quad, styled to look like a Viking ship, as Pleasant Valley’s mascot is a Viking.
“It helps students pursue these classes because they can figure out what they want to do in life in high school,” said Julia Kistel, director of facilities and construction for the Chico Unified School District.
Pleasant Valley High Principal Damon Whitaker feels very positive about the school’s new facilities.
“We are very excited about providing this opportunity for students,” Whitaker said. “Students in the Culinary Program are using a state-of-the-art brand new culinary laboratory to work as well as run a restaurant. It is providing new opportunities that children did not have a few years back. Medical Pathway Lab and Sports Medicine Lab are providing excellent opportunities to work in lab environment. They receive training in the community by working with them. We are grateful to everyone for working hard to secure funds to build new facilities.”
Students in the Culinary Program are learning not only how to cook, but also the practical side of running a restaurant, such as the business end and meal planning process, how to purchase, stock, cook and prepare food safely. To do. Students receive a certification in their field.
“They’re learning the important side of running a business,” Kistol said. “It helps them get into college.”
Kistol said Butte College has a good culinary arts program.
“If they want to go to Butte College they’re getting a good foundation here,” Kistol said.
Students of Sports Medicine and Medical Pathway now have a state-of-the-art physical therapy room and a hospital-like room with effigies to practice medicine.
Ribbon cutting was organized in the school on 17th November. The guests toured all the new buildings. Culinary and hospitality students prepare many dishes for guests to sample. This included bruschetta, Viking cookies, two different pizzas from the school pizza oven, and a spicy vegetable salad. Medical students demonstrated eye disease symptoms, blood pressure and special glasses to mimic infant CPR procedures and also discussed their internship programs. Sports medicine students demonstrate injury care, including icing and taping, stretches and strengthening exercises.
Aiden King is a culinary arts student in Pleasant Valley. “I think it’s really cool,” King said of the culinary program. “We get a lot of support from Miss Burns and the administration. We learn different techniques for teamwork, leadership, and collaboration as we cook together.”
Chico High School also got an upgrade. Agricultural science programs, flower arranging and agricultural welding are organized in the school.
Some students do internships during their academic training at Enlo Medical Center, where they oversee surgery, for example, or work in obstetrics/gynecology offices. Some students also work in local restaurants.
“They come to the restaurant more prepared to work,” Kistol said.
