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By Laura Wong
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Oct. 7, 2003 |
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A burning sun scorched over 300 parents, students and faculty members who gathered to celebrate the end of 10 years of planning, 18 months of construction and countless hours of dedication.
Member of the school community gathered outside the new Science and Academic Wing to hear Class of 80 alumnus and 2001 Nobel Laureate Eric Cornell, superintendent Arlene Ackerman and other speakers celebrate its opening on Sunday.
We waited six long years for this wing, principal Paul Cheng said. The promise has been kept.
Peter Van Court, assistant principal
Even though contractors completed most of the major construction during the summer, the new wing is still not finished. Computer networking, painting and television installation remains unfinished, according to assistant principal Peter Van Court.
The several incidents of vandalism have set back the construction schedule.
The new wing includes two math, three physics, three biology rooms, a multi-purpose classroom, two conjoining ceramics rooms and journalism work space. The new language lab and two computer labs are awaiting completion.
The new wing is not the only part of the campus still under construction, according to Van Court.
The former math and science section of the second floor is being torn down and is going to be replaced with 12 new classrooms, Van Court said. Ts 1-13 will be gone.
Classes that are currently housed in the bungalows will move to the new classrooms on the second floor this spring semester.
Teachers in the new building are excited to be in their new classrooms, but concerned with flaws they are finding within the wing.
Oh, snip! Class of 80 alumnus and Physics Nobel Prize winner Eric Cornell cuts the ribbon with superintendent Arlene Ackerman at the new wing dedication ceremony, which 300-odd students, teachers, parents, alumni and district officials attended on Sept. 21.
Physics teacher Richard Shapiro said that construction should have been finished on a timely schedule.
The building should have been done before the students started school, Shapiro said. (The construction team) had all summer to put the final touches on; there is no excuse.
A student suffered a small asthma attack during class due to fumes coming from the paint being used during ongoing construction in the hallway outside of a classroom, according to Shapiro.
In addition to imposing student health issues, the classrooms themselves are not functioning efficiently, according to Shapiro.
The little things, like phone lines and computer networking, dont affect the educational environment, Shapiro said. But things like no lab tables, cabinets being misassembled and ceiling tiles not in place do have an effect on the teaching environment
this is an example of quality control.
Physics teacher Charles Hibbard said he is satisfied with his classroom, despite the minor annoyances.
There is no television, no door, the mens bathroom doesnt have a latch, they even cut the holes for the sinks too big, Hibbard said. They installed the television stands, but they didnt install the actual televisions because they didnt have the grant money to move them in.
Students have other concerns regarding problems in the new building.
Sophomore Julia Ye said the buildings structure confused many of her peers, making them late for class on the first day.
The room numbering can be very confusing because all the evens arent on one side and the odds on the other æ theyre actually mixed up, Ye said.
According to junior Melissa Chow, additional traffic through the building halls remains a problem.
Its a good thing they have a new building because it spreads out the students move, so it is less congested, Chow said. But the congestion problems during registry still remain, unfortunately.
Despite these flaws, teachers are happy to be a part of the first generation in the new wing.
Math teacher Francisco Rosales said he enjoys teaching in the new wing and has no complaints.
I like it a lot, but I cant express how I like it because not all teachers have the chance to experience it as I do, Rosales said. But I can say this: I was looking forward for the summer to end just so I could come to work in this building æ thats the first time that has ever happened.
Physics teacher Eric Friedman agreed that wing is off to rough start, but in time will be great.
We all are really excited and happy to have a place to start off fresh to build on, Friedman said. Even if its not perfect right now, theres plenty of time and space to improve.
At the recent dedication, Ackerman said,The wing serves as an example of what we need to provide for all students of the district. I am very pleased to be a part of making this happen. |
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