Adjusting to the New School

Costanza Maio
Editor-in-Chief

Harriton teachers generally regard the new school in a positive way; their classrooms (where they spend the majority of their time) are bigger, and equipped with the latest technologies. Students, on the other hand, are not limited to one classroom. They roam the hallways, constantly moving, and consequently regard the new school in a different light. I interviewed junior Bruno Alves and seniors Lauren Berenbaum and Lauren Fox to get a better idea of student views on the new Harriton.

Q: How do you like the new classrooms?
Bruno Alves: I think they’re good, but, without shades, it’s really annoying because you can’t see anything on the projectors.
Lauren Berenbaum: Being a senior at Harrition High School, I’ve come to know the layout of the school and I feel as if there is a void between the students and their learning ability because the school doesn’t feel as accepting to me as it has in the past.
Lauren Fox: I like the new school’s technological capabilities because they enhance what is being taught. However, one thing I do not like is the emptiness of the rooms. They’re white, no posters. Last year, I felt it was a warmer feel, and now the walls are barren.

Q: How do you feel about all the new technology?
Bruno Alves: I think it’s very cool. It kind of takes some getting used to. In my old school, I never had take home laptops. It’s a good thing, but [it takes getting used to because] you have to find out how to get to Shared folders and stuff.
Lauren Berenbaum: I like how we are exposed to a bigger variety of technology. We have a lecture hall now that has a huge, state-of-the-art projector and I think it’s cool how I get to be in a class that is like college.

Q: Did it take long to adjust?
Bruno Alves: Not too long, about a month or two months, but knowing that everything has a wing, like the science wing and the English wing – it’s a lot easier.
Lauren Berenbaum: Yeah, I felt like it was a really hard adjustment; it took a week or two, I had no idea where I was going and my teachers were in different places. Getting used to the different in size was a little challenging.

Q: Do you prefer your new room or your old room?
Bruno Alves: I like the new classrooms better. I didn’t like the portables because it was always too cold or too hot and there was always water dripping from the ceilings.
Lauren Berenbaum: I personally prefer the old classrooms just because I felt comfortable in them; they were more inviting. We were allowed to eat and we were allowed ot be ourselves instead of being in such a constricting environment.

Q: How do you feel about the new “indoor” school?
Bruno Alves: I kind of miss walking around, getting fresh air, but I think its good because when it’s raining you don’t get wet.
Lauren Fox: As of now I do not like being indoors, as I liked to get a fresh breath of air between classes. However, I know I will appreciate the “indoor” structure of the building once winter and snow come around.

Q: Was it sad to see the old school knocked down?
Bruno Alves: Yeah, I mean I’ve only been there for six months, maybe, but it’s kind of sad still.
Lauren Fox: Yes, when I see the old school from the library, it’s sad, because we use to learn there and we had so many memories.