by staff writer, Sose Khachikyan

            During spring break, some teachers will be relocated to their renovated classrooms on the east side of campus in the new building. The second and third floors of the renovated building will open immediately after the break. However, the first floor which houses the administration is planned to open at the beginning of May.

Featuring updated electrical work, cable TV, whiteboards, blinds, and lab areas, these two floors will not have many changes.  One major difference, however, is that each classroom will be handicap compliant.

According to mathematics teacher, Jean Schaffert, rooms will have wider doors with straight, pull-down handles rather than knobs that must be turned, lab stations with table tops at a lower level than the current stations, and lockers that are accessible. 

            Moreover, the first floor of the building will be completely renovated. Accommodating only the administration, it will consist of the principal, nurse, assistant principal, secretary, and switchboard operator offices in addition to three conference rooms and waiting rooms, all on the left side of the building. On the right side of the building will be the counselors’ offices, the records and transcripts room, the waiting room, and the career center. The career center will be about half the size of the original room.
            While the idea of moving into a new room may seem exciting, not all teachers are happy about it. Science teacher Nerses Abramyan said he does not like having to pack while also preparing his students for the Advanced Placement (AP) exams.

            “If given a [choice] I would have stayed [in my bungalow] until after the AP exam,” he said.      

            Along with the renovation of the new building will come a new numbering system for the rooms. Instead of the traditional three numbers, there will now be four numbers. The first numeral will indicate the building number, the second numeral will represent the floor number, and the last two will show the room number. For example, room 311 will now be 1303.