Will he last? - My High School Journalism

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Out with the old; in By Ericka Pritchett Centerspread Editor Jay file photo The old look: The original front entrance of Southfield High - built in 1950 - featured a large front yard and a long straight sidewalk all the way to Lahser Road. The school year isn’t the only thing considered “new”around Southfield High. The $45 million school expansion that is now two-thirds complete is Southfield High’s main attraction. The school has expanded extensively over the last year and a half, with the wings B, C and D supplementing the strong What do you think about the additions and changes to the school? around since 1950. “I think the new building is beautiful,” said Assistant Principal Rita Teague. “I love the wide hallways and the fact that it adds a lot more to the way the school looks. I love the new technology, the SMART boards, the DVD machines, the science labs - I just love it all,” said Teague. So far Barton Malow Construction has added 96,000 square feet to the school, bringing the school’s total size to 147,000 square feet. When the next phase of construction is done, in 2007, the school size is slated to be 400,000 square feet, according to Project Designer Jeff Johnson. The remodeling and additions to the school are funded by bond money approved by Southfield voters in 2002. The aging school was in need of larger, more updated facilities, including science labs, instructional technology labs, and a new football field with artificial turf. standing O-House that has been The cafeteria is one of the Students speak out Ryan Whaley, senior: “The new buildings give the school spunk and makes students want to behave better.” Marshall Crowder, junior: “I think it’s cool. It’s bigger now. The time needs to be extended in order to get from C to O House.” Photo by Ema During: During construction and remodeling in 2005 and 2006, the sc lawn featured portable classrooms, or trailers. No one saw the lawn fo main changes to the school. When the construction is complete, the school will have two cafeterias, one in O House and one in B House. For now the former O House cafeteria has been razed to make way for the new eating area, and students are eating in three different places of the school during construction. To accommodate students during construction, the school switched to three lunches instead of the former two lunch shifts. Desmond Wiley, freshman: “The school is better for incoming students like me. The hallways are big, and they added to the older part. With the expanded campus there are many changes that are portrayed as both bad and good. The expansion of the new wings causes many students to scurry down the halls between classes to arrive on time. “We need at least eight minutes between classes,” Danielle McLain, a senior at Southfield High complains. The school, though larger, still allows six minutes of passing time between classes. Charlesha Altman, a junior, says, “We do have books and with the crowded hallways, we Sharaene Black, sophomore: “I think it’s good the school is trying to build the school up to be a bigger and better place for education.” Dori juni “It’s with We air c over
nuel Johnson hool’s front r two years. with the new barely have time to stop at our lockrs, talk to our friends or even go to he bathroom.” Racing the clock isn’t the only atch to the expanded school. With ll the changes, junior Keenon trong says he feels as if “I’m a reshman all over again.” He has had o acclimate himself to where all of is classes are in the new wings of he school. But to freshman Amber Bell, it’s ll good: “Because I’m a freshman, hen I first came to Southfield, I hought the school looked good, and like the way it looks.” s Addo, r: spacious and nicer bigger classrooms. ave nicer TV’s with onditionng, so it’s all a good thing.” Photo by Emanuel Johnson The new look: After constuction, the school’s front lawn has a circle drive with parking spaces for techers and a speck of green grass. Through Through the the y yyear y ear ears ear A timeline of Southfield High May 12, 1948 - Attorney Archie Leonard was authorized to negotiate for the school site on Lahser and 10 Mile roads. Mar. 11, 1949 - The School Board approved the purchase of the high school site from Charles McClelland for $39,702. Feb.8,1950 - Groundbreaking for the high school. First spade of soil turned by school Board President Fred D. Leonhard June 17, 1954 - Southfield High graduated its first senior class. Diplomas given to 148 graduates. Sept.19, 1957 - The school’s swimming pool was completed. June 1965 - A whopping 676 students graduated from SHS. That was 528 more graduates than in 1954. Nov.22, 1967 - The Who performed at SHS, co-sponsored by school’s radio station, WSHJ, and the Junior Classs Board. Ted Nugent was in the warm-up act. Mar.18,1988 - The Rev. Jesse Jackson delivered an antidrug use message to students in the gym. Jackson was a presidential candidate at the time. Feb.20,1989 - A raging fire set by two 1988 SHS alums destroyed much of the school’s library. Dec.9, 2002 - Southfield voters approved a $96 million bond proposal that included $45 million to renovate Southfield High. Part of the money was used for a new artificial turf football field.. Looking Looking ahead: ahead: What’s next with construction The additions and renovations of Southfield High are scheduled for completion by September 2007, according to Rhonda Hodge, project manager for Barton Malow Construction. Two of the three phases of construction are already completed, and Barton Malow is now in its third and final phase of improvements to Southfield High. Phase Three will include: • New commons area or cafeteria. It will hold more students than either of the former cafeterias and will be able to offer a larger variety of food because it will have a larger kitchen • Larger gymnasium. Think spacious locker rooms, a new weight room, and an overhead indoor running track. • A connector. This hamster tube of sorts will connect all the houses together to avoid the outside trips that are necessary at the present time to get from some parts of the school to others. • A field house that will hold an estimated 2,000 people. This is where the school can hold largescale events and group gatherings. · Artwork courtesy of Barton Malow Construction Main course: The old O House cafeteria has been demolished to make way for a the new larger cafeteria illustrated above. It features overhead TV’s, improved lighting and windows for a cheery ambience.
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Will he last? - My High School Journalism

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