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The Paly Voice

The Student News Site of Palo Alto High School

The Paly Voice

The Student News Site of Palo Alto High School

The Paly Voice

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Revamping "old-school" conditions across Paly

Although it was a small change relative to this year’s multiple drastic upgrades, which include a freshly-painted library and sleek new pool, students arriving on the first day of school were surprised to discover that the Embarcadero lot bike racks had seemingly migrated to greener climates — namely, the quad.

The school made the move to allow sufficient space for construction crews working on remodeling the fenced-off Arts building. According to assistant principal Chuck Merritt, bicyclists wishing to lock up along parking lot fences will soon run the risk of confiscation for utilizing unauthorized storage locations.

The racks will be returned following completed renovation of the 1970’s-era Arts building, which is on schedule to be finished by June 2006, Merritt said. Merritt noted that the building is being remodeled in the first place to bring the facilities up to current teaching standards. Improvements include up-to-date safety codes, gas burners for the home economics room, and a photography classroom and darkroom in place of technology teacher Pat O’Hara’s computer lab, which has been permanently relocated to near the library.

Although Merritt said that the construction noise could be disruptive for students and teachers, he emphasized that the loudest and most hazardous work, such as breaking wall seals and removing asbestos, took place over the summer. Original plans had the renovation slated for May 2005 around the time of AP testing and final exams, but administrators were conscientious towards students by delaying construction, Merritt said.

Meanwhile, the newly remodeled pool is near completion. The Athletic Communities Create Excellent Leaders (ACCEL) Foundation, which describes itself as "a volunteer group of parents dedicated to improving the physical education facilities at Palo Alto High School", is sponsoring a golf tournament and silent auction on October 10 at the Palo Alto Country Club. Paly’s girls and boys water polo teams hosted a swim-a-thon and potluck lunch Stanford’s Avery Swim Center on September 6 to help close the funding gap.

"We still need to raise about $200,000-plus to pay off our credit line we took out to start the pool," explained Paly parent Barb Champion, ACCEL boardmember and pool fundraising chairperson. "Additional funds are needed for deck lighting, [a] scoreboard and new bleachers."

The Foundation is paying the $1.76 million bill for the 16 lane, 35 m x 25-yard pool with generous donations from a diverse community of athletics supporters, including individuals unaffiliated with Paly as well as alumni and parents, according to Champion.

In another venture to raise money for the highly anticipated pool, the ACCEL foundation is bolstering it with the "Buy A Brick" campaign.

"Donating a personalized brick is the perfect way to memorialize the many contributions and achievements that have helped grow Paly aquatics over the years, as well as recognize those who will continue this tradition for years to come!" enthuses a promotional flyer.

To purchase a 4 x 8 inch brick with up to 45 engraved characters for the minimum $500 donation, prospective buyers should contact Champion at [email protected]. The bricks will be sold throughout the year and placed in the deck at the pool’s two entrances.

Paly’s library is ready to resume its duties as a study resource and studious haven for the year after receiving a new coat of paint, fresh carpeting and brighter and more energy-efficient lighting over the summer. In related redecorating news, the colorful "Professions" wall mural has been removed, while the library’s computers and electronic catalog system are finally operational as of Thursday Sept. 15. Head librarian Veronica Breuer was not sure how much the touch-ups cost, but she said that the funds were obtained from Building For Education, the same group which is paying for the Arts building renovation. Breuer said that the library is hoping to secure money for large, customized magazine bookcases, which are estimated to cost as much as $4,300.

One junior said that she did not notice much of a difference to the library, but approved of the new cleanliness and diminished graffiti on study carrels.

The library opened its doors to all students more than a week after school began and is now operating on a regular schedule.

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