Under Distraction: East construction causes noise distractions for students

The construction on East’s new addition off the North ramp has been distracting students and making it more difficult to focus in class.

Sophomore Adelaide Basta has been struggling to focus in her chemistry classroom, which is located right next to the construction. 

“I’ll be working and then also hear drilling,” Basta said. “My brain will go ‘Oh, what’s that?’ and then I’ll look out the window and realize, ‘Oh, it’s the construction.’”

In the past, Basta has struggled with staying focused in class. The new construction adds another layer of interruption she has to deal with.

“I think the thing that catches me off guard is that I usually don’t hear construction,” Basta said. “Usually if I hear a pencil drop I can tune that out better because I’m used to hearing pencils scribbling or falling, but I’ve never had to learn with construction going on.”

Students and teachers alike have had to deal with distractions from the construction. Chemistry teacher Susan Hallstrom is one of the teachers that has been most affected by the construction due to her proximity to the site. She’s taught during construction at other schools, but according to Hallstrom nothing has been louder than this.

“Usually during the day, if it’s a non-assessment day, it’s not so bad,” Hallstrom said. “I have to yell in order to be heard much of the time and my throat hurts at the end of the day. The noise is especially noticeable in my room because my windows don’t shut.”

According to Hallstrom, Chemistry teacher Steve Appier— like many teachers near the new addition— has also been affected by the noise. 

“Sometimes we just stare at each other in disbelief at what we’re trying to deal with,” Hallstrom said. “Another byproduct of the noise is that it disrupts your train of thought. So yeah, it affects me, it affects student’s ability to focus.”

Hallstrom hopes the construction will be worth the distraction it’s caused her and her students.

Despite the extra noise, teachers like Hallstrom can still find ways to help students focus, particularly during tests. 

Principal Jason Peres said the teachers have rooms on the other side of the hall that aren’t experiencing the same level of noise pollution. If a class needs a quiet environment for testing, teachers can switch rooms to provide that for their students.

Noise isn’t the only way that the construction has disrupted the school. According to Basta, the North ramp is smaller, making the already crowded hallways even harder for students to get through on their way to class.

“The ramps are chaos when I’m trying to get to class on time,” Basta said.

According to Peres, the loudest part of the construction was last year, during the pulverization of the concrete. The new addition is expected to be finished by winter break.

“Sure, the construction is distracting,” Basta said. “But it’s no use being mad at the construction workers who are just doing their job. It’s something that has to happen.”