WHAT’S NEW? Earlier this month, Bray Architects reviewed renderings, floor plans, and room inventory at Community Elementary School with district leadership. Plans for the addition and renovation of math and science rooms at Edgerton High School were also discussed. Drawings and specifications for the secure entry projects at Yahara Elementary School and Edgerton Middle School are nearly complete. Bray presented updates on plans and city approvals to the Board of Education on April 15. On April 18, Bray led district staff on building tours to completed Bray projects with similar spaces to those being developed at Community Elementary School. A group of K-2nd grade teachers visited Little Prairie Primary School in East Troy, while a group of 3rd-5th grade teachers toured Muskego Lakes Middle School in Muskego (see photos below). By touring these state-of-the-art facilities, staff members have given the Core Planning Team valuable feedback that will be used to establish more detail in the design for the additions and renovations at Community Elementary School.          WHAT’S NEXT? The Core Planning Team will continue to collaborate with project engineers to develop construction documents for Edgerton High School and Community Elementary School. Construction documents for the secure entrances at Yahara Elementary School and Edgerton Middle School will be issued for bid at the end of April. Prospective contractors will have until May 15 to submit their bids. Updates will be shared on the district website: www.edgerton.k12.wi.us

Nowadays, people have access to more tools for connecting and communicating than ever before. However, that does not make it any easier to break the ice with a friend you haven’t spoken to in years—or even decades. It’s quite common to feel nervous or even stressed out at the thought of getting in touch with an old friend, but reaching out to someone who you haven’t spoken to in a long time gives you the opportunity to rekindle a friendship you’ve been missing. How to reach out There's no magic formula that will guarantee your success when you attempt to make contact with an old friend, but there are several steps you can take to make the process as easy as possible. Set your anxiety aside: If you feel nervous about contacting an old friend, you’re not alone. Even best friends can drift apart with time. The important thing is that you want to reconnect. Your friend might be just as anxious as you are about reaching out to you, so don’t let nerves get the better of you. Send a brief message: There’s no need to write a novel chronicling everything that has happened since you last spoke with your friend. Keep your message short, sweet and to the point. Start off with something like, “I know it’s been a while since we spoke, but I’d love to catch up." You might include a simple question to get a conversation started. Ease into an in-person meeting: It’s exciting to finally get in touch with an old friend, but you shouldn't jump straight into an in-person meeting. Continue corresponding online, via text or over the phone until you both feel comfortable enough to get together. Consider the circumstances: It’s important to think about what your friend has experienced since you last spoke and how they might feel about you reaching out. If you and your friend had a falling out that caused you to lose touch, an apology or reconciliation could be in order. If you don’t address pain or hurt from the past, your friend may be skeptical of your motives. Keep your expectations in check: Even with all your best efforts and intentions, you might never hear back from your old friend. The reality is that not everybody is open to rekindling friendships with those they have lost touch with. Don’t get discouraged by a missed connection and try to understand why your friend might be uninterested in reconnecting. Communicating with old friends isn’t always easy, but it can be well worth the effort. Putting yourself out there can lead to the revival of meaningful friendships you have lost over the years.