As temperatures drop during the winter months, students at school are feeling that the classrooms are too cold, and some are too warm.

Classrooms on the East end tend to be warmer than classrooms on the West end. 

Temperatures can plunge down to 50 degrees Fahrenheit, negatively impacting students’ health and interfering with their education. 

Francesca Delgado-Schaumberg ’24 stated, “The temperature outside is already cold and for the classrooms to be cold as well, makes it unbearable to learn. I hope the school will address this issue and relax the rules on uniform guidelines.”

Some of the classrooms have working heat, while others are not working properly. 

Science teacher Colleen O’Rourke noted, “I’m really unhappy about this situation. Even before COVID, I would always get sick in the winter and it was largely due to being in a cold room all day.”

Many students resort to wearing puffer jackets and multiple layers of clothes when the windows are open and there is no heat radiating throughout the school. 

Some students believe the uniform guidelines should be modified. 

Dean of Students Juan Zumbado ’98 clarified, “The deans would prefer you be in required attire, despite the coldness.” 

Director of Facilities Brandon Ramsey explained how the heaters function. 

“The heaters run through a hydronic boiler system that pumps hot water throughout the school. Each classroom has radiant floor heating where hot water passes through pipes inside the floor and the heat radiates through the classroom.” 

During this past year, the school has worked to provide the best for students. The three major projects completed this year are the roof renovation, the restroom remodeling, and the new Wi-Fi system. 

President Tim Reardon added, “We spent an enormous amount of money on the roof and the bathrooms…we’ll be addressing the heating systems in the near future—hopefully over Christmas break.”