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Preparing Your Students, Staff and School for Tornado Season
By Shive- Hattery | May 18, 2022
Natural disasters are inevitable, however, the extent impact of the disaster can be mitigated lessened when a strategy is in place.
New Iowa Radon Law & Its Impact on Iowa K-12 Schools
By Chad Siems | May 17, 2022
A guide to Iowa House File 2412, and what new radon legislation means for your district.
Evolving the Future at Stilwell Jr. High
By Shive- Hattery | Feb 21, 2022
Gender-neutral restrooms, patient-focused health rooms, counseling services, secure entries, and more classrooms create a more student-focused school.
Building the Future of Career and Technical Education
By Shive- Hattery | Feb 15, 2022
In response to an increased request from students to enroll in career and technical education (CTE) courses the West Des Moines Community School District reached out to Shive-Hattery for assistance with designing an additional at the Valley Southwoods Freshman High School.
Making the Case for Air Dispersion Modeling
By Sara Kelley | Feb 3, 2022
Anything that emits a pollutant should be evaluated for permitting before being installed in a facility.
The Universal Language of Active Learning Is Architecture
By Mark Allen, Vic Ritter | Jul 20, 2021
Our educational system has been conditioned over time to embrace the concept that we are only limited by our imagination. However, the reality is that physical and emotional barriers within our educational environments can limit the imagination process.
DMACC Urban Campus Student Center: Sneak Peek
By Holly Reid | Apr 15, 2021
As the first majority minority college/university campus in the state of Iowa, the DMACC Urban Campus Student Center is a resource for everyone in central Iowa and celebrates and captures the vibrancy and diversity of the campus.
Transforming Underutilized Space into a Main Attraction
By Michael Kleene | Apr 14, 2021
West Des Moines Community Schools converts an unmaintained courtyard overgrown with invasive plant material into its new media center.
Managing Environmental Hazards In Iowa Schools During The Pandemic
By Sam Becker | Dec 18, 2020
While the pandemic continues to draw public attention to environmental safety in schools, Iowa school districts continue to grapple with managing the regulated hazards in their buildings.
Adding a Storm Shelter - The Best Option
By Onesty Friday, Karen Hardisty | Nov 10, 2020
The best option for safety during a tornado is an ICC 500 or FEMA P-361 storm shelter. Both have similar requirements.
Strengthen Existing Areas Against Extreme Wind Events During Remodels
By Onesty Friday, Karen Hardisty | Oct 27, 2020
Existing spaces that were not designed for resistance to the effects of a tornado can be augmented to provide additional protection for occupants as an interim measure.
Best Available Refuge Area Example
By Onesty Friday, Karen Hardisty | Oct 13, 2020
Most school districts have tornado drills to practice where to go and what to do during a tornado. The locations within the school are typically chosen by administrators who have the best intentions, but do not have the structural engineering training to identify the criteria necessary to choose the safest options available.
Best Available Refuge Area (BARA) - When You Don't Have a Safe Room or Storm Shelter
By Onesty Friday, Karen Hardisty | Sep 29, 2020
Tornadoes can occur anywhere in the US, but are most frequent in the tornado-prone Midwestern states. With students and staff spending a large portion of their day in the school building, having a designated safe area for use during a tornado is critical.
Natural Hazard Vulnerabilities & Planning
By Onesty Friday, Karen Hardisty | Sep 15, 2020
Because our children spend a majority of their time at schools, we often perceive these buildings as safe and should inherently possess good resistance to natural hazards.
Tornado Season - Preparing Your Students, Staff & School
By Onesty Friday, Karen Hardisty | Sep 1, 2020
Growing up, many of us became well-practiced in tornado drills and know exactly what to do when we hear the alarm.
Documenting Storm Damage
By Shive- Hattery | Aug 13, 2020
Through the use of drone technology, our certified drone pilot(s) produce vibrant, dynamic HD aerial video and photos that are immense valuable when documenting storm damage.
Incorporating Shock Pads - A Best Practice for Synthetic Fields
By Shive- Hattery | Jul 23, 2020
As bands march and athletes run on their schools’ athletic fields year after year, the synthetic turf will unavoidably breakdown.
Future Infrastructure Funding Webinar: Video & Presentation
By Shive- Hattery | Jun 12, 2020
Watch our “Future Infrastructure Funding” webinar to get the latest on the CARES 2.0/HEROES Act and get an infrastructure outlook on the stimulus package, FAST Act reauthorization, appropriations and shovel ready.
Safely Returning To Schools & COVID-19
By Shive- Hattery | Jun 5, 2020
This up-to-date K-12 resource includes design and mechanical considerations to help you develop your re-entry strategy while managing COVID-19.
Protect Your Building Enclosure During Spring Storm Season
By Stephen Stewart | Apr 28, 2020
As you head into spring storm season (e.g. high wind events and damaging hail), damage to the roofs of your buildings can occur.