Standing in a newly configured "After School Room," Fraser Woods Montessori School Head Of School Chris Robertson explained the bright space was one of three recently completed projects that are part of the school's Dream for a Future Fund efforts.

"We wanted this to be a space where children... can come and use it as a space for activities," said Mr Robertson.

The building projects began in June, and in the last few weeks, the school completed projects for three new rooms. A culminating ribbon cutting ceremony was held on October 26.

During the school day on October 23, Mr Robertson shared that students had already started using the After School Room, which was designed to suit student needs after school, but can also be used during the school day. A NanoWall - bi-fold glass doors from Germany - was installed in the space and allow in light from the outside, or can open to the outside. On nice days and evenings, Mr Robertson said the installation allows the feeling of outdoors into the room, which he said aligns with the school's philosophy. As students played outside on October 23, the doors offered a wide view of the school's outdoor play area. Wide plank floors of the After School Room floors have a natural hue. The space has tables and chairs, and a bathroom outfitted for toddlers.

Next to the After School Room the building now has a library. Bookcases line the walls, and tables with chairs are situated in the space. Mr Robertson said older students have started using the library as a new study area. The school also has a new makerspace room.

The After School Room and the library was administrative office space and a music classroom, which have been moved elsewhere. The makerspace was the computer lab at the school. According to the school, the Turner Construction Company and PH Architects LLC oversaw the projects, and representatives from both were present at the October 26 ceremony.

The new areas were funded as the second phase of the Dream for a Future Fund, according to Mr Robertson. The fund was also used to support professional development for faculty. Mr Robertson said it is exciting to be able to expand areas of the school in favor of student learning and student needs.

"And hopefully this will generate excitement," said Mr Robertson, adding that the school has other plans to have a larger arts facility section, which will also depend on the Dream for a Future Fund. Former Fraser Woods Montessori School Head of School Myriam Woods started the Dream for a Future Fund.

Fraser Woods Montessori School Director of Technology Danielle Ulacco oversaw a number of lessons in the makerspace on October 23. Some students used Spheros robotic balls to build mazes with wooden blocks and then program the robots to go through the maze. Other students worked with green screens to learn about movie making.

"In our makerspace," Ms Ulacco said, "we really want the students to be in control of their learning."

Since the start of the school year, Mr Robertson said, the school has been paying attention to student needs for the makerspace to make appropriate purchases. The space also has 3D printers, tables, and some areas of the walls are dry-erase, so students can write ideas and draw on them using dry-erase markers.

Mr Robertson said the space is designed to support the Montessori philosophy of learning from errors, and it was designed to help students be prepared for work environments where people skills and problem solving skills will be in demand.

Everything designed for the three spaces, said Mr Robertson, was chosen to enhance student excitement about learning.