By Carina Scher

  During the months of September, October, and early November, parts of Hamden High were experiencing strange temperatures.  Some classrooms were chilly, others were quite hot, and a lucky few were just right.  While no one was taking action to resolve this heat problem, the change in climate took its toll on staff and students.  Mr. Coss,  AP Government and Politics teacher in room A316, was happy to give us his opinion on the matter.

               During this time of crisis, Mr. Coss’s room was approximately 81 degrees! Though this is a nice temperature for the beach, it is not ideal for the classroom.  It caused Mr. Coss to suffer dehydration and exhaustion on a daily basis, which weren’t too beneficial, considering he was recovering from a surgery at the time. The heat of the room, and the sweating it caused, was “just obnoxious” he told us!

               Though he was concerned about his own well-being, he was more concerned about the condition of his students.  He could see the affect it had, and the change in his student’s behavior.  Kids were constantly sweating and uncomfortable, affecting their performance level and willingness to pay attention or stay awake.  Coss described his students as lethargic, and blamed the excessive heat.  He did make one thing clear; extreme temperatures do not support education, and should be a higher priority for the school board… Not something that’s put off for months.  Its effect is greater than you think.

         Leaving on the heat when it is clearly unnecessary (75 degrees outside)  is not only  a concern for students and staff, but also for the taxpayers, whose money is literally going out the window. A lesson to be learned is, when issues like this arise, it is our job to step up and raise awareness to our administration!