Students Point Out Health Concerns at Havre de Grace High School

How about some nice refreshing yellow water from the water fountain right after gym class? Or did you remember to bring your umbrella and jacket to English today?

These are questions that students say they are faced with while trying to learn.

Monique Watson, Have de Grace High School senior class president, who spoke from "the view of the kids," to members how students have to be prepared with an umbrella for when it's raining or perhaps a heavy jacket in case of falling temperatures and snow.

"OK, I have to go to this class, so I should probably bring an umbrella," Watson said.

» Read more about the push for a new Havre de Grace High School.

Havre de Grace senior and Student Government President Jillian Larrimore addressed the fluxuating temperatures throughout the building and how it affects the student's ability to concentrate.

"Even with new air conditioning units, our school seems to have an uneven climate. A student can go from one classroom, where it is freezing, to another neighboring classroom where it feels like a sauna. It makes it difficult for students to keep focus and learn because they are too busy worrying about the temperature," Larrimore said.

Larrimore and Watson additionally both complained of poor drinking water, open ceilings and mismatched desks.

"With a new building, this would not be the case," Larrimore said. "While walking through the hallways, I hear other students say, 'This school stinks,' and while away at other school's sporting events, I hear other students say, 'Our school is trash compared to this' and 'Wow, I wish our school can look like this.' With your help that wish is not far from coming true," Larrimore told the Board.

The proposed will be voted on at the Board of Education meeting beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 24.