Multimedia studio now open

By Jacqueline Halabi Junior Editor

The Multimedia Studio in the new building’s sub-basement has officially opened to students and faculty after being under construction for the entirety of the first semester.

The versatile space consists of a production studio filled with high-quality musical instruments and equipment, a media room with a baby grand piano, space for the freshman Music Technology and Appreciation course, and a recording studio between the two larger rooms. The freshman Drama/Improv course is set to be held in the production studio as well.

According to Rabbi Galpert, these spaces will be utilized as well by most of the music extracurriculars in school, such as choir, band, orchestra, and Lunch ’N Listen for practices. Students will also have the opportunity to explore the studio during its open hours every Friday, supervised and advised by the elementary school choir director, Ricky Sasson.

The space was constructed specifical- ly to function as a professional studio. Rabbi Galpert explained, “The spaces were created with music in mind, which means enhanced soundproofing and state-of-the-art, professional-grade recording equipment.” How much did all this cost? “A lot,” Rabbi Galpert stated. “Hundreds of thousands of dollars.”

“The recording studio actually has a vocal booth, all the way in. That’s where you could record your voice: podcasts, songs, anything,” said Director of Music Programming Ms. Janet Pichotto. According to Rabbi Galpert, some students have already approached the administration about starting their own podcast. Rabbi Galpert explained that, continued on page 6

By Isaac Dweck Senior Editor

Since renovations on the old building intensified over winter break, many students and teachers have begun to feel the effects of an increased amount of dust in the air, making it harder for them to learn, teach, or even breathe.

Especially on days when the construction dust is visible in the air, many people in the building with asthma or otherwise sensitive respiratory systems have been struggling. “It’s honestly been difficult,” said a frustrated student who asked to remain anonymous. “I have some classes that I haven’t been able to go to since the start of the semester. I really don’t know how I’m going to navigate learning the material or really making up the work. The administration has not been so helpful or productive. They said to wear a mask, which I tried, along with taking medicine. However, it hasn’t helped. I haven’t been able to go to gym or SAFE, and no one has tried to accommodate.”

This student is not alone in their feelings. A different student who has asthma stated, “It’s very hard for me to breathe on the fourth floor and in the basement and sub-basement. This is affecting my learning because I can’t concentrate in class and often need to leave class.”

According to Nurse Fayge Kleinbart, “More and more kids are coming down because of the dust.” She also reported that the dust is causing “headaches, dizziness, and coughing.”

The construction has been affecting teachers as well. Room 403, Ms. Wielgus’s classroom, is one of several classrooms that was without ceiling tiles for about a week. This caused a large amount of dust to circulate around the classroom, along with extreme temperature fluctuations. Ms. Wielgus recounted that the teaching conditions of the room are terrible, and “the room looks and feels dusty and bare.”

One of Ms. Wielgus’s students, she explained, is “unable to sit in the classroom because she’s allergic to dust and her throat closes up. She’s had to Zoom in for over a week.” As for her own health, Ms. Wielgus divulged that “it’s hard to tell so far, but I can’t imagine how teaching continued on page 6