Life Without a Gym-a-Teria:
The Old and New High School
August, 2004

 
Construction at Novi High School has finally paid off. After 14 months of constant beeping and crashing, students and staff will now be able to reap the benefits of the updated facility which includes a heavily renovated pool and cafeteria, plus a brand new wing for science labs and the media center. The student drop off circle on Ten Mile has been improved upon, allowing parents to drop off their kids just seconds away from the main entrance. There is even a chance that all juniors and seniors will be able to have their own parking spot by the end of this year.

Gone are the mornings where underclassmen would endure cold walks from their remote parking at the pond, as the parking lots have been expanded. The former prison like cafeteria has been updated and an atrium has been built to connect the new facility to the main building. The previous “Cat Rack” shop has been moved from the closet like space it occupied and is now a large fully functional bookstore.

Outside, the softball, baseball, and soccer practice fields will be upgraded with the addition of the south sports complex. Approximately 1,870 students will be enrolled this fall, and when construction is completed the capacity will be 2,400 students. There are many changes, and the students will get a chance to see it all when school starts August 30^th.

Incoming freshman, the class of 2008, will get their first taste of high school life. They will have the opportunity to join various clubs such as Teen Court, Robotics, International Club, DECA, and Model UN. But perhaps the most difficult task for these freshmen will be learning their way around the school. From locating classrooms to avoiding those pesky seniors who might ingest misleading directions; the new kids on the block have a lot to learn in and outside of the classroom.

Returning students have much to look forward to, not only in the changes to the building, but in other areas as well. The class of 2007 no longer has to contend with Freshman Friday’s as they are now higher on the food chain with sophomore status. Juniors can rejoice in the fact that Plato testing is behind them, but spring MEAP testing looms in their future.

As for the class of 2005, the seniors anticipate a fun filled but busy year. From applying to colleges to spring break trips and everything in-between, my fellow classmates and I look forward to our final year at Novi High School, even though we will no longer enjoy lunch in the “Gym-a-Teria”. 

(c) 2004 the Novi Information Network