Renovations continue into new school year at Westlake High
By Sabrina Samedi Special to the Acorn

Westlake High School welcomed its Warriors back to class Aug. 29. The students were greeted not only by the familiar faces of their peers but also by the campus' new look.

When summer vacation started in June, renovations began at Westlake High. By the time the fall semester started, the restrooms, bells, speakers, clocks and air conditioning systems in Buildings 1 and 4 had all been upgraded, and improvements were made to the fire alarms, which will now provide greater safety in an emergency.

Changes were made to accommodate the disabled while creating a safer environment for all. Restrooms now have easy-access entrances; the fire alarms have been updated with sensors and strobe lights to help alert deaf or visually impaired students to danger.

The improved air conditioning system lived up to expectations during the past three weeks of school- faced with hot weather that set new records, the system kept the classrooms cool without breaking down or malfunctioning.

The classroom clocks have been modernized to a digital display, more efficient than the old analog style. Bells are now programmed to chime rather than ring at the beginning and end of each class period. In addition, the sound quality of the loudspeakers and public announcement system has been enhanced.

Only a few minor inconveniences have resulted from the construction, which is still underway in some areas. Restrooms on the lower level are being remodeled during the school year, but so far the work has had little effect on curriculum or procedures.

Westlake has added 21 new administrators, which resulted in a bit of chaos and delay in the counseling department during the first week of school. Since the number of students with schedule problems outweighed the number of available staff members, many administrators were forced to work twice as hard to handle the needs of students in a timely manner.

By the second week of school, the staff had developed both teamwork and patience, which thrived as the long lines of distressed students heading into the counseling office slowly dwindled.

This autumn, during afterschool hours, cosmetic repairs will begin on Buildings 2 and 3.

When Westlake High celebrated its 25th anniversary this past year, it became eligible to apply for the retrofit program, which, along with other funds from the state, is helping pay the costs of renovations.

Sabrina Samedi, a senior at Westlake High School, is an intern at the Thousand Oaks Acorn.