What Something New Can Do
“Seniors Danielle, Susu, Denise, Monica and Anaelah all agreed on the comfort of the bigger space and the respect the new building has been given, which has contributed to a renewed sense of community for both staff and students, allowing everyone to feel safer and more connected.”
The completion of the new school building has brought many new uplifting reactions from students at the school. Many students used to despise the old school building because of many problems that it held.
I spoke to a couple of seniors and juniors and I asked them the problems they encountered with the old building. The majority said the lack of space we were provided with, because we only had one floor which was used for all 9-12. They described the unsanitary conditions that were seen all over the school, and the unappetizing school lunches that discouraged students from eating.
Perhaps the most pressing concern was the mix of multiple schools into one building. There were acts of violence committed by students in the other schools within the school building, including one that caused harm onto a student in our Comp Sci High community.
Those problems continued outside of the school, because the area we were around had been known as a place of conflict with students in most schools. This made our community feel a sense of fear for being around a area that held an exposure to harm.
Entering the new school building with a building to ourselves, I wanted to know if students still felt the same, but that was not the case anymore. More than a month into this transition, it is clear that attitudes have improved significantly. Many seniors and juniors are now enjoying their school lunches, when in the past building this was often rare to witness, because the quality of food often raised concerns which made students even joke about consuming it.
I questioned a group of seniors about the food and they responsed, saying the quality of the food had improved by a mile. Senior Janiel remarked, “The lunch has improved so much; it’s now enjoyable.”
One of the best things that this building has created has been a sense of self independence which was brought up by Senior Sophia. She said: “Basically in this new school due to the staff not being on our backs for our behavior, it brings a sense of self independence for our own actions.” Angel added: “The space overall is more easier to roam around in, and we are no longer limited to one space and we are able to think for ourselves.”
Another change has been the comfort. Seniors Danielle, Susu, Denise, Monica and Anaelah all agreed on the comfort of the bigger space and the respect the new building has been given, which has contributed to a renewed sense of community for both staff and students, allowing everyone to feel safer and more connected. Overall these changes have made the community feel more together and safer.