By Barrett Roberson.
In order to increase safety and efficiency for students, school administrators implemented new additions and rules for the upcoming school year.
These new additions include a new indoor practice facility, new doors and windows, and a stricter enforcement of student IDs being worn.
“The new indoor facility “The Nest” is really exciting,” principal Emme Siburt said. “It’s just going to provide an extra place for our students to practice and be successful.”
“The Nest” is an indoor practice facility which features a 70-yard football field including a 10-yard endzone. With the football season about to start, the team has already been using The Nest as a practice space.
“It’s a really cool spot,” senior varsity wide receiver Brelon Badon said. “I think it’s something that we’ve needed for a while now. It’s a little bit more of a tight space in there, and it kind of brings us closer. Literally.”
However, the athletic department aren’t the only ones benefiting from “The Nest”.
“During summer band, there was an evening rehearsal with some bad weather kind of coming up,” senior flutist Lindsey Marshall said. “Instead of being able to use the parking lot or the turf field, we were able to go into “The Nest” to still be able to do practice.”
Another addition to the school year are new windows and doors that are being installed all around campus.
“I like the new doors and the new windows a lot, it’s really nice,” Marshall said. “I didn’t enjoy having tiny little rectangular windows for a while because you couldn’t see anything and there wasn’t much sunlight. I enjoy seeing things outside.”
The windows, which now take up entire classroom walls, have a dark tint that is well-liked by students.
“They have a really cool tint on the windows,” Badon said. “Those give me really cool vibes. There are some windows in Mr. McGee’s class, and so I just want to go to sleep in there, but it’s all good.”
A new aesthetic is only one of the benefits of the windows.
“We hope that they’re very energy efficient,” Siburt said. “A lot of times in the afternoon in the hot summer days when we’re first starting school, it’s really hot up there, so we’re hoping that it’ll provide a more comfortable environment.”
In addition to being energy efficient, the windows will also add a layer of safety to campus, as there are plans in place to add a bulletproof coating, which is being provided by the state, Siburt said.
“It’s just another layer that we can do to try to provide safety for our kids that helps everybody feel better,” Siburt said. “It’s my understanding that all schools in the state of Texas are going to get [new windows].”
Another change in order to provide a layer of security and protection for students is a stricter enforcement of student IDs.
“We’re really going to stress wearing student IDs,” Siburt said. “We want to make sure that we are providing a safe environment for our students, and student IDs will help with that.”
While further enforcement of student IDs can be frustrating, some students can see the benefits.
“A lot of things are happening today and changing in society,” Badon said. “I’m glad that AISD has stepped up a little bit this year. Society is changing nowadays, and I know we’re just going to change with it.”
