With the sounds of drilling and hammering filling the halls, it’s hard to ignore the ongoing construction noise. 8th-grade principal, Mr. Dial, said, “They are updating the library so that it is a little bit more conducive to what we expect in the library this day, by putting in some different learning centers. They are going to have some rooms we can use to pull students out and work with them.”
Dial said he has not seen inside the construction area, but head principal Mr. Haire has. “Mr. Haire goes back there and kind of checks on things every once in a while, but they are making good progress. I know some of the walls are getting put up and the plans are that they will have the backside done by winter break, and will start working on the front side, so everything I have heard is that they are on date to get that done.”
Many have noticed the noise being a distraction to the learning environment. School librarian, Mrs. Baranski, is still housed in the library, even with the construction going on, “It would be nice if the crew could work outside of regular school hours, but I would settle for some sound-deadening insulation or foam to help reduce all of the machinery noise.” Baranski also said having half the library space has impacted everyone who uses the library frequently, “What I miss most is having tables and chairs for students to be able to use for studying. The cozy reading nook was a student favorite and I miss seeing students come in to relax and read. Pushing into classrooms for library lessons is tough, but I am grateful to all of the teachers who make room for me to continue to do my work. When the construction is done, the library should be glorious!”
The ongoing construction at WRMS has left students and staff increasingly frustrated. Loud noises from drills and machinery frequently interrupt lessons, making it hard for students to concentrate and for teachers to maintain focus in their classrooms. Limited access to certain areas adds to the daily inconvenience. Both students and staff agree that while the upgrades are necessary, the disruption to the school’s learning environment has been a significant challenge.
What’s it really like for students dealing with the noise? 8th grader Lauren French has a story about the challenges she faced and how she deals with the noise during the construction at WRMS “My go-to solution when the construction gets too loud is earbuds or something. I know in Mrs. Gonzalez’s class we were so close to the construction, we had to go outside because it was too loud, and I mean during state testing, too, the construction was going on and we couldn’t do anything.”
Mrs. McDonald, a teacher at WRMS, shared her thoughts on the situation “Another challenge the construction had caused for me, would be how my classroom has been boxed in by multiple walls. It feels isolating. In addition, the lack of circulation, noise, and construction dust has triggered a Vertigo issue I have. I have created a little seating area outside of my room to help people find my room. I call it my “lounge.”’ McDonald’s room is one that has been isolated, due to the walls built up in the seventh-grade hallway.
As the construction continues at WRMS, it’s clear that the updates to the school, especially the library, will bring long-term benefits. However, the disruption caused by the noise and limited access to spaces has made daily life at the school more challenging. While students and staff alike are eager for the improvements to be finished, the path to those updates has tested their patience. The question remains: Is the noise worth the wait? While current construction is set to end in December, the whole other half of the library will begin construction after winter break, causing more noise and disruption for another semester. The hope is that the new spaces will create an environment that’s better suited to the needs of both students and teachers—a future worth the sound of progress.
