As another school year begins and everyone gets ready for all the excitement that comes with it, one big thing is different for both students and teachers alike: construction is bigger than ever here as GHS! As it continues to only get more and more underway, it’s caused a great many changes for everyone here at Galena.
Plans for improvements to the school had been underway for a decade and a half, spanning all the way back to 2010. Continuous talks of finding ways to improve the middle and high school ultimately ended up in the construction of new schools for both! So, in late 2022, plans began on turning the current high school into a new building! As it continues to be worked on to this very day, students and teachers have had some thoughts about everything that construction has brought.
With all the madness and mayhem that construction brings, students at GHS have had to adapt to the changes that come with it all. “Some classes are delayed. We have to work around construction and things shift around. Walking to and from the middle school for choir takes more time than usual,” said Isabella Haugh ‘28.
Along with everyday schooling, the construction has also affected sports. “We can’t use the football field,” said Vincent Gullone ‘28. “So it’s a little hard because we have to go to Southwestern for our home games, and they’re not as exciting.” There have been other factors in construction too. “The noise is definitely a problem. I’m sensitive when it comes to loud noises, such as all the construction,” said Allana Pithound ‘29.
However, perhaps the biggest drawbacks have been for the seniors, as they have to endure all the construction and not get to attend the brand new school. “It’s just frustrating. It’s annoying that we have to go through all of this and get the short end of the stick,” said Neveah Ottenhousen ‘26.
There are other issues that construction brings to the seniors as well. “It’s super sad. We don’t really have a place to graduate, and we have to graduate in middle school,” said Gus Nack ‘26. The construction has taken a toll on the seniors of Galena High in a number of ways.
Along with students, the teachers have had to make big shifts to accommodate construction. One of the main classes that the construction has affected is that of P.E. classes. “I’ve had to be creative about lesson planning and utilizing the tennis courts for more activities since we don’t have a gym,” said Michael Decker.
Along with P.E. being changed due to construction, other teachers have had shifts as well. “I had to move rooms, and now I have two rooms instead of one, and so I have to be more organized about what I’m doing,” said Susan Bookless.
Despite the many negatives about the construction, many students and teachers have been able to see a silver lining in all of it. “I think everyone’s looking forward to having a new building, and it’s going to really help everyone down the line,” said Mia Wallis ‘29.
Some people have even found advantages to the effects of construction. “I like the new space up here. It’s smaller than our old classroom, but we have lots of whiteboard space and there’s a lot of other teachers on this floor. It’s working out pretty well,” said Mary Calfee.
While some seniors are upset about not being able to see the new school, they’re also glad it’s happening. “Even though we won’t get to attend it, the school will make for better education, and be a better experience for the future students of Galena,” said Violet Doyle ‘26.
So, even though all the construction has caused much shifting around and changing for everyone, the students and staff of GHS have been doing their best to work together and do their best to handle the construction to the best of their abilities.
