By Rowan Chetty, Co-Multimedia Editor
In preparation for the 2023-24 school year, Conestoga instituted several changes over the summer. Construction teams replaced the cafeteria floor and parts of the roof. Additionally, administration relocated the achievement center and revised the policy on the use of the atrium pergolas.
The original cafeteria tiled floor was replaced with a brighter terrazzo floor. Additionally, the cafeteria ceiling was repainted and LED lights were added to the space. 12th grade assistant principal Dr. Patrick Boyle supervised the renovations.
“With the tile floor, you could see some dents in the floor (and) some scratches in it. (With the) terrazzo (floor), you don’t see that,” Boyle said. “I think that overall (the new floor) allows students to understand and appreciate things more.”
Construction workers replaced the roof above the front of the building and caulked holes in the siding to prevent leaks. Despite the challenge of working with an older building, the construction team did not encounter any major problems while replacing the roof.
“There were some issues with the roof because it’s an older roof, but they (the construction team) worked through that,” Boyle said. “The caulking was all easy stuff.”
In addition to the structural renovations to the school, administration revised the policy on atrium pergolas to increase utilization of the space. Last year’s policy required students and staff to reserve the pergolas in the atrium in advance, resulting in less people using the space. This year, if no one has occupied a pergola after 15 minutes into a given period, the space becomes open for all students to use.
“We would like to have as much of that space used as possible,” said 10th grade assistant principal James Bankert. “It’s not really useful if that nice space is not being used in a free period in a positive way that can be collaborative.”
Additionally, the achievement center, which was previously located in Room 201, was moved to the library due to the need for an additional classroom. Achievement center tutor Stephen Sokolowski finds it premature to judge the effects of the relocation.
“I wouldn’t really say there’s a negative or positive connotation to (the relocation),” Sokolowski said. “The library’s a quiet space, so (the achievement center) is definitely accessible. It’s definitely a bit more open than we used to be.”
Although relocating to the library is an adjustment, Sokolowski appreciates the opportunity he has to help students with essays.
“It (working in the achievement center) is something I really enjoy. I like the working relationship I have with students,” Sokolowski said. “I really enjoy working with the college application process. I also like the diversity of the things I get to work with, not only within the English department, but also within history and any other department that might require essays. It’s a nice, different diversity of assignments.”
Rowan Chetty can be reached at [email protected].
