Photos by Chloe Medina | Story by Juan Garcia |For the past month pledges have been cut short, announcements have had to be sent through e-mail, and both students and teachers have been distracted by the noises coming from the intercom system.
“You cannot concentrate,” counseling clerk Sandra Avalos said. “It’s too loud and too noisy to focus on the students and parents.”
The mysterious noises are assumed to come from the addition of the three new buildings. The distance the signal is required to travel is too long and consequently, the announcements have been strained to make unusual noises. The front office is focused on fixing the problem.
“We’ve tried everything,” administrative assistant Brynda Pack said. “We have new parts, new software, and even updated the software.”
The intercom system seems to be fixed, but the time loss due to the noises cannot be returned.
“It was a distraction,” senior Joy Arimendez said. “Everybody’s attention was drawn to the noise.”
Teachers agree that the noises were just a distraction students used to avoid classwork.
“I think students enjoy it,” dance coach Mary Ann Barrow said. “They don’t have to listen to their teachers.”
Everybody is hoping that is the last they hear of the intercom noises.
“I’m hoping that its fixed now,” Pack said. “I’m cautiously optimistic.”
However, under any emergency circumstances, teachers are advised to press their call button. And if the noise is unbearable somebody will come in person.