Temperatures Rise And Fall

At Newtown High

By Andrew Rote

“I would sit in the room with my mittens and my hot chocolate because it’s the only way I could keep warm,” explained Emily Sheehan, senior at Newtown High School.

Recently, students have some complaints about the temperature of the school, whether it’s too hot or too cold. The majority, however, have a complaint about both.

“Half of the school is cold and the other half is hot,” said Shannon Kohn, a sophomore.

By walking from one classroom to another, students as well as teachers notice the dramatic temperature changes. English teacher Lori Arsenian mentioned that she dresses in layers at times to make sure she is dressed appropriately for the temperature. She also said students periodically leave the room to get jackets out of their lockers, which disrupts the class.

 According to the district’s Buildings and Grounds Supervisor Dom Posca, the school is kept at 70 degrees in virtually every room. What could cause the extreme temperature differences are open windows and the heat from bodies and computers.

Students do not seem to know who to complain to, though. Sophomore Christie Polchowski talked to the student government and class council about the heat, but nothing was ever done.

Edward Obloj, social studies teacher, said the room he teaches in was known as “the meat locker.” It was given that name because he and the students felt like meat in a freezer. Mr Obloj said he would overdress constantly and he complained for months until it was finally fixed.

“Last semester I had economics in the icebox, the name we’ve given room B270,” senior Becky Bombero commented, referring to the other nickname for the meat locker.

“When it’s cold, you’re concentrating on trying to stay warm,” explained Lauren Blomberg, sophomore. Students have trouble learning when it’s too hot as well because it makes them feel very drowsy.

“The cafeteria is always cold,” complained sophomore Amy Barackman. Many students agreed. In fact, of all of the rooms in the building, the temperature of the cafeteria was brought up the most. This could be a result of the open doors and possibly a low set temperature to prevent body heat from causing discomfort.

“It’s constantly air-conditioned in the cafeteria and it’s windy,” said Dan Phillips, another cold sophomore.

When some students were asked what temperature would make them most comfortable, they all said 70 degrees, which is exactly what the system shows.

Mr Posca runs the school heating by a new computer program. He uses it to keep the temperature as close to 70 degrees as possible. In the summer, it is generally set at 68 degrees.

 Mr Posca said he was unaware of any complaints. He also said that if there were any problems with the temperature, he would take care of them if he knew about them.

(Andrew Rote is a sophomore journalism student at Newtown High School. He writes regularly about sports and technology for the school’s paper, The Hawkeye)