June 6, 2023
By Sean Disbrow
Staff Writer
This year is the first year that all classrooms have air conditioning, and I am very happy about this improvement. Ever since my first year at LHS, I hoped for this.
Although most of the school year takes place in the colder months, having air conditioning in the warmer months like September, May and June is critical so students and teachers are not distracted by the heat.
When the school was not fully air-conditioned, some classrooms got affected by the heat a lot worse than others. Since heat rises, some classrooms on the second floor got past 90 degrees. This was because the second floor had little to no cool air. Therefore, as the day went on, the rooms got hotter.
When classrooms were not air-conditioned, teachers tried to cool down the rooms by turning on a small rotating fan or opening the windows. These measures usually had a minor effect on the temperature and rarely addressed the problem. The classrooms were still hot, and it was difficult to ignore that.
In past years, when the weather was warm outside, I felt overheated, lost focus and was unable to concentrate. Sometimes, I even felt nauseous and dizzy, and once I fainted.
Air conditioners not only make the classrooms cool, but they also keep the hallways at a reasonable temperature, so it is not too hot when students are changing classes. This helps make the school safer, as students who feel overheated while walking could get badly hurt.
Last summer, LHS was finally able to install air conditioners in every classroom due to an Every Student Succeeds Act funding grant the school district received. The total cost of the newly installed air conditioners was $169,925, according to principal Ms. Vuono.
In past years, when the weather was warm outside, I felt overheated, lost focus and was unable to concentrate.
Throughout this school year, the air conditioning units have cooled down the classrooms, specifically the ones on the second floor, as well as the hallways. The air conditioning units have been working well and are not too loud to be distracting while students are working.
The students’ and teachers’ quality of life and enjoyment of their time at LHS is greater because the school is now fully equipped with air conditioners. This is certainly a positive improvement for the high school that should be recognized as temperatures rise and the school year comes to a close.
