Construction Update

By Tooba Ghias, staff writer

They are the only students who are not accustomed to the harsh noises of the jackhammer and electric saw.

But no worries. They soon will be. It is a new school year, and students will have to bear with the presence of yet more fences.

Junior Mariyam Ahmed says, “Fences bother me a lot because I don’t like going around them…when all fences are gone I will be so happy!”

The shade structure in front of the 200s building is being constructed and will be larger than the previous one. However, it will have a nylon covering instead of a solid one, so it will not keep students dry when it rains.

“The shade would be good,” says junior Vivian Tran, when she was informed about the nylon shade structure, “but I think it would be better if it were water proof so everyone doesn’t have to crowd around the buildings and in the cafeteria to escape the rain.”

Tthe shade structure may be completed before rainy season.

Principal Chris Herzfeld says, “I would be surprised to see it done before winter break.”

The north hallways of the 200 building, such as the 220, 230, and 240 hallways, are near completion.

Four rooms, however, are not ready because of minor changes. These are Rooms 241, 235, 234, and 236. Room 241 was initially a computer lab and Room 235, a science classroom. 235 was ultimately deemed too small for a science class.

Herzfeld then received approval to turn 241 into a science classroom. The computer lab is now moved to Room 302, and 235 is under construction to become a regular classroom. The other two rooms under repair are 234 and 236. There are structural problems with the walls.

The staff parking lot is repaved, and there is new concrete around the bowl. The gym floor is finally reconstructed after damage from last fall\’s rainstorm.

The A and B bungalows will stay until all students are in their new classrooms in the 200 buildings. The A bungalows will be removed, but most of the B rooms are expected to stay. The removal of the bungalows will be either right after the students move into the 200s, or near the end of the 2009 school year.

The resulting empty space will be repaved for basketball and volleyball courts.

“The shade structure is the last major fenced in area,” says Herzfeld, “but you can expect temporary fences for minor construction.”