1. Comments and Recommendations on the Roosevelt Educational Specifications
from:
The Roosevelt School Improvement Team
1
The School Improvement Team for the Roosevelt Modernization recommends that the April 2013
Educational Specification for Roosevelt be revised to provide a fuller picture of the rich high school
program that will be provided in the first modernized high school in Ward 4. The following is a brief
description of concerns with the April 2013 Educational Specifications Draft and recommendations for
revisions and additions to this document, which DCPS needs to provide DGS as a guiding
documentforthe design of Roosevelt High School. The comments from the SIT team are briefly
summarized here and organized to align to the April 2013 Roosevelt Educational Specification, Table of
Contents.
Introduction…………………………………………………………………………4
Comments: The April 13, 2013 Draft Ed Spec communicates no understanding of the complexity
of the current school, its role in the community, or of the ambition or vision for its future. There
is no actual justification or description of scope that would in any way address the need and
scale of such a major project for the District.
Recommendation: Include “Introduction, Existing Facility, Project Justification and Enrollment
Capacity” for Roosevelt High School and “Information on Roosevelt STAY for the Education
Specification Revision” prepared through the SIT team process (attached), along with any
revisions from the May 9, 2013 meeting.A fuller description of Roosevelt high schools’ programs
and academic departments may be adopted and incorporated.
Proposed Capacity…………………...……………………………………………5
Comments: The April 2013 Educational Specification reduces the enrollment capacity for
Roosevelt from its current capacity of 1059 to 800-900 day students and 600adult STAY
students, 50 fewerstudents than STAY’Sreported enrollment in 2012-13. There is no rationale
for the particular enrollments and no reference to population projections, capture rates, the
Facility Master Plan, or other items that might inform theseimportant numbers.
Recommendations: We recommend that the educational specification drive the square footage
for the modernized Roosevelt. It is a very complicated project including significant special
populations and the co-location of the STAY program. We recommend that the architects align
the building design to the program as described in the revised Education Specification.
At a minimum, retain the existing space in the planning process and design to support the
current capacity of Roosevelt of 1059. Alternatively, use the enrollment projections prepared by
the 21st
Century School Fund to design the facility for nearly 1200 students, built on assumptions
defined in the enrollment projectionsin the attached “Introduction, Existing Facility and Project
Justification and Enrollment Capacity”.
Overview of Planning Concepts………………………………………….………6
Comments: The current plan allows for the minimum completion of the 24 credits required for
graduation and does not provide adequately for students to spend four years in high school or
properly accommodate the ELL and Special Education students or the STAY program. The

2. Comments and Recommendations on the Roosevelt Educational Specifications
from:
The Roosevelt School Improvement Team
2
description on page 6 also does not state the need to prepare students for college. While it
notes an academy structure of 9th
and 10th
graders, there is no mention of the organization in
place for the upper classes.
There was only the most cursory description of the Roosevelt academic, ELL, special education,
CTE, and co-curricular programs. There was even less about the 600-plus student adult
education STAY school.
Recommendations: Include the descriptions of curriculum and programs prepared by the
Roosevelt administration and staff in the revised educational specifications document.
Recommendations: Include for the STAY program which shares the Roosevelt buildingthe
detailed “Information on Roosevelt STAY for the Revision of the Education Specification of
Roosevelt HS”(attached).This includes expanded administrative space, a separate entrance, and
possible addition of daytime classes for Roosevelt STAY.
Overview of Planning Concepts(continued)………………………………………….………6
Comments: Even though Roosevelt shares a campus with MacFarland and in fact will be in
MacFarland for swing space, there is no mention in the planning concepts for the re-use of
MacFarland.
Recommendations: Current enrollment gains at surrounding elementary and PS-8 schools
clearly point to the pressing need for a middle school at MacFarland.Since Roosevelt can best
serve this community if it is associated with a strong feeder middle school, we therefore
strongly recommend that MacFarland be re-opened as the Ward 4 feeder middle school into
Roosevelt.We further recommend that this proposal, which is included in the “Introduction,
Existing Facility and Project Justification and Enrollment Capacity” (attached),be incorporated
intothe revised Educational Specification. The proposal presumes that MacFarland would be re-
openedafter the high school returns from swing space to the modernized building.
Recommendations: Ensure that the Educational Specification gives guidance on the site and the
swing space improvements so they are planned, designed, and constructed with the long-term
future of MacFarland and the site in mind.
Safety and Security ……………………………………………………………………..15
Comment: The section on security emphasizes passive concepts but does not mention metal
detectors that are a feature of DCPS high school security.
Recommendation: Roosevelt students have so long used the back entrance with its cramped
metal detector system that they deserve the most passive, respectful equipment possible,
particular at the front door. Encasing any metal detectors that might be required into the door
frames would be welcome.
Summary of Space Requirements………………………………………….…..41

3. Comments and Recommendations on the Roosevelt Educational Specifications
from:
The Roosevelt School Improvement Team
3
Core Academic Requirements……………………………………………….……42
Comments: The current document may not encompass the need to calculate classroom space
to include adequate space for electives. The four classrooms inclusive of additional and
advanced foreign language may not be adequate. There is no square footage allowance for the
additional storage space required toshare classrooms with the STAY program. In addition, many
regular classrooms will also accommodate a special education inclusion aide or co-teacher.
Recommendations: Storage and classroom size will have to accommodate this expanded use for
both classrooms and specialty spaces. We recommend a variety of classroom sizes or the
opportunity to have double classrooms (divided by moveable, sound-absorbing partitions)as
implemented at Woodson. Have the plan show the additional storage required for two teacher
use of most classrooms and circulation and storage space for special education inclusion aides
or co-teachers.
Greenhouse, Garden and Pond …………………………………………….49
Comment: Currently the greenhouse calls for lighting to support plant growth, moisture and
stain-resistant finishes, adequate ventilation/exhaust and electrical outlets.
Recommendation: The greenhouse should be accessible to all the science rooms from all floors
if possible. Fixtures should be waterproof, with lighting available for day and night use, using
translucent glazing and interior shading with motorized shades, and concrete or rubber mat
flooring. Plant shelving, standing plant benches and storage cabinets should be of sturdy
durable materials. Include a hydroponic watering system if possible.
Comment: There is no information in the Ed Spec on the school garden or the pond that
currently are located near the greenhouse.
Recommendations: The school garden and pond should be an integral part of the science
curriculum, although the garden has a dual utility with Culinary Arts. Both should be visible
from classrooms and accessible by the entire school community, possibly at the front of the
school. The garden and pond should be part of landscaping that creates a park-like setting and
serve as a factor in storm-water mitigation if possible.
Individual raised garden beds should be small enough to reach into easily and should provide
wheelchair access. The garden area should be able to revert to lawn if necessary rather than be
built of or into concrete or pavement. A shaded outdoor classroom and gathering space should
be available. Nearby storage for tools and materials is necessary and sufficient sunny space for
composting is also needed. Ready access to water is crucial; access to power is a plus.
The pond should provide an environmental stewardship teaching tool, and should be of
sufficient breadth and depth to support common native plants and animals. Nearby access to a
hose bib is important; access to power is a plus.

4. Comments and Recommendations on the Roosevelt Educational Specifications
from:
The Roosevelt School Improvement Team
4
Special Education Space Requirements………………………………….…...62
Comments: Roosevelt has a substantial special education component including autism, RISE,
and special education. Additionally, the school may accommodatesome of the students from the
SharpeHealth School, which is closing. The current document does not include an adequate
description of these programs or the need for some additional spaces. The autism program has
been expanded to threeclassrooms, but the current document includes only two.
Recommendations:Specify three classrooms for the expanded autism program. To have a high
quality autism program, the specialized facilities of a sensory room are recommended, in
addition to the quiet room currently in the document. The Life Skills space should adjoin the
autism rooms. The Fitness room should be outfitted to accommodate physical therapy for
special education and autism students. It will need reinforced beams for suspended equipment.
Equipment should be able to isolate muscle use, arm only, elliptical, etc. Regular classroom
sizeneeds to be increased to allotspecial education inclusion teachers sufficient space to work
effectivelywith students in regular classrooms.
ELL Space Requirements
Comments: ELL is an important and substantial program at Roosevelt but is covered by two
sentences in the Academy Structure section (p. 8). There is no program description nor do the
fiveELL teachers and 97 students served by them show up identified as ELL in the classroom
calculation for an expanded Roosevelt.
Recommendation: Consider the detailed program description supplied by the ELL staff at
Roosevelt and re-evaluate classroom space to clearly accommodate this program.
CTE Space Requirements
Comments: There is no detailed description of the CTE programs. The current offerings include
Culinary Arts, Business, and Finance.
Recommendations: Include a full program description of the CTE programs, along with the
Barbering and Cosmetology program planned for Roosevelt STAY. Job opportunities are growing
for barbering and cosmetology in the nearby Virginia and Maryland suburbs. Roosevelt day
students have expressed interest in the Barbering and Cosmetology program but have shown
little interest in the former Hospitality Management program.The SIT sub-committees support
the inclusion of Business, Finance, and Culinary Arts. They would also like to see additional
programs such as engineering or graphic design.
Culinary Arts requires daylight and the number of dining tables available at present; the chef’s
office or ancillary space needs space for a specialized reference library. The business and
finance area needs project space to accommodate the BUILD.
Media Center Space Requirements………………………………….…………81

5. Comments and Recommendations on the Roosevelt Educational Specifications
from:
The Roosevelt School Improvement Team
5
Comments: Since this space currently has no staff, there is no program description. We
recommend that a program description be obtained from DCPS or other DCPS high schools and
included.
Recommendations: The media center should contain adequate space in the soundproof
production room for video production and editing as well as for other media production. There
should be locked storage space in both the media center and the production room. The media
center should have natural lightif possible in addition to any borrowed light. It will also be used
for community meeting space, so its location should be easy to follow from the main entrance
and there should be ample signage.
Visual Arts Space Requirements………………………….…………………….92
Comments: The current Ed Spec provides for only one art room. The art teacher already
teaches a full academic load. The space is inadequate to the academic plan.
Recommendation: There should be at least two separate art classrooms. These rooms are also
used by the STAY program and will potentially be used to a greater extent by the special
populations at Roosevelt. Ensure that there is adequate storage to accommodate increased
student usage and shared space.
Performing Arts Space Requirements…………………….……………………96
Comments: Music: The rich program description provided by the music department is not yet
included in the document.There should also be a description of the theatre function.
Recommendations:The music area should include four to six small practice rooms, a small
performing space, and a digital recording studio where 40 to 60 students can record their own
compositions as well as demonstrations of their performing ability. The band room needs space
for 100 students. A separate room is needed specifically for percussion rehearsals for 40 to 60
students, storage modules, and instrument repair. Separate rooms are needed as well as for a
keyboard lab and a large, multi-purpose choral/dance area. The dance area would require a
spring or Marley-type floor that could also be used by dancers and others for practice. An office
is needed for the Music Director that is large enough to accommodate a desk, chairs for
students, an acoustic piano, and storage for sheet music.
The Auditorium is used for assemblies and for graduation. It could potentially be used as a
lecture hall and for community performances, as well. Quality lighting and acoustics are also
important. ADA compliance is also required. The possibility of an orchestra pit area or
equivalent should be explored. The ticket booth and entrance should be kept and the historic
nature of the auditorium and vestibule space should be retained.It is a majestic space.
Comment: Drama Program – Roosevelt currently does not have a drama program but teachers
are excited about the possibility of student theater productions in the future.

6. Comments and Recommendations on the Roosevelt Educational Specifications
from:
The Roosevelt School Improvement Team
6
Recommendations: Roosevelt should be ready to expand into drama offerings that could
advance the performing arts curriculum. A black-box type, smaller more informal performance
space should be available in addition to the auditorium.
ROTC Space Requirements……………………………………………………112
Comment: ROTC currently shares space with the weight room, which is not optimal.
Recommendations: ROTC space should be unified and provide plenty of storage space for
equipment and uniforms with ready access space for drilling.
Physical Education Requirements…………………………………………124
Comments: The current Educational Specification does not provide an adequate program
description. In addition,itdoes not fix the current shortcomings of the gymnasium space.
Roosevelt turns away many spectators from basketball games,which createssecurity issues. The
current square footage is insufficient to allow for two full-size practice courts to run
horizontally. There is no provision for a weight room essential to the significant athletic
program at the school.
Recommendations: A full description of the physical education and athletic program should be
provided, including the potential number of students participating on the sports teams and the
current demand for seating. Additional square footage for the gymnasium should be added. A
weight room, which will serve a different function than thefitness room, should be added. It is
essential for a school with the extensive athletic program present at Roosevelt. The separate
fitness room is identified as a benefit to the community. It will also be used as a site for physical
therapyfor the special education and autism programs. The pool should be readily accessible to
the public and the entrance well signed. The pool should have daylight to bring it up to the
standard of the Dunbar, Woodson and Wilson pools.
Family Support Center………………………………………………………….119
Comment: The family resource center at Roosevelt serves as a secondary welcoming point of
contact for volunteers and school partners, a home-base for the parent group and alumni,and a
resource base for Roosevelt families. It has a separate function from the New Heights program
or the Day Care Center. Families need to be aware of it when they come into the building.
Recommendations: Locate the Family and Community Resource Center near the main
administration, counselors and social workers. It can share office space with compatible
functions (it shares now with New Heights) but needs daylight and views to the corridor if
possible, space for school literature and hand-books, and nearby access to a conference or
meeting area, if that is not incorporated within the center. The day care center needs to be
located where it can have a separate, exterior entrance and access to a toddler playground.
Comment: The day care center space, at 2,000 square feet, seems adequately sized for the
approximately 15 infants and toddlers planned to be accommodated.

7. Comments and Recommendations on the Roosevelt Educational Specifications
from:
The Roosevelt School Improvement Team
7
Recommendations: The child care space needs to meet the OSSE licensing requirements, which
include a direct, external entrance and playground. The playground needs to be fenced and
secured, contain appropriate equipment, and have access to water, child and adult seating with
a grassy area and shade available. There should be a kitchenette and a refrigerator in addition
to the sinknoted. A tot-sized bathroom is requested in addition to an adult size bathroom.
Interior storage for strollers as well as for large outdoor toys is necessary. Daylight and toddler
accessible views are necessary.
Student Dining Space Requirements…………………………………………172
Comment: Roosevelt’s kitchen currently prepares food for the area elementary schools as well
as its own students, but this is not noted in the Ed Spec. The number of meals to be prepared
and delivered affects parking lot circulation and traffic as well as delivery traffic.
Recommendation: Determine the number of meals expected to be prepared. Consider that the
food preparation area might at a minimum replicate what is currently in use. The cafeteria
should have natural light. There is particular concern with the acoustics in the
modernizedschools, wheretheequipment is loud enough to prevent the roomsfrom being an
acceptable meeting space. (The causeis either the air handling system or the appliances.)
Roosevelt would like this room to have these multiple uses. Students would benefit from a
variety of spaces within the cafeteria, possibly with some quieter areas.
Health Suite …………………………………………………………………………. 154
Comment: The Ed Spec notes that Dunbar High School has a working health suite run by a
contractor, but leaves hanging the question of how the space would be structured to ensure
that it would be workable for an outside provider to coordinate with the needs of the Roosevelt
school nurse.
Recommendation: Seek out high school clinics that are functioning to determine how best to
structure an effective arrangement of spaces at Roosevelt and ensure that the space can be
used. Note that the clinic at Woodson is extremely cramped and not accessible after hours.
Administration Space Requirements……………………………………….137
STAY Space Requirements……………………………………………………….195 (see attached document)
Maintenance and Custodial Space Requirements……………………208