Due to the high school’s growing size, three new classrooms were created at Heschel in advance of this year: 634, 702 (the MPR), and the new physics lab. While new rooms should be a reason to celebrate, some are disappointed with the results.
“It’s like a prison cell,” junior Eden Litt said regarding the new physics room.
“I hate it,” senior Abby Bruhim said about 634. But why do so many dislike the new rooms?
When you walk into the physics room, its flaws are apparent. Immediately, you notice the lack of flooring and roofing that gives the physics room its barren, prison-cell-like feel.
When asked about her new room, physics teacher Suzy Vogel, the only person who teaches in the room, said that she likes it. “I prefer the high ceilings with exposed infrastructure,” Vogel said. “It’s by design.” However, she does admit to there being a weird echo in the room. Overall, the student opinion differs vastly from Vogel’s; many students hate having class in the new room.
The root of students’ anger around room 634 is that it wasn’t meant to be a classroom in the first place. Originally an office space, 634 was converted into a classroom this year. Since it was never meant to be a classroom, 634’s shape does not allow for the traditional horseshoe setup that Heschel favors because it allows for natural group discussion. Rather, students sit in one long line with a few seats jutting out from either end. In 634, the spacing and orientation of the desks makes conversation forced and awkward.
The MPR, in contrast, has been a successful and needed addition. Despite occasional interruptions from Lower School passersby, the MPR is a positive addition because it is the size and layout of a normal high school classroom. However, the fact that ⅔ of the new rooms are viewed negatively makes you wonder: was this truly the year to get rid of the library?
While the library can accommodate even the largest classes, it is no longer used as a classroom. In my opinion, bringing the library back could move some classes out of 634 and reduce scheduling problems. Get on it, Student Affairs Council!