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By Sean lee
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Apr. 27, 2009 |
The principal plans to relocate and remodel the student college center by the end of next fall semester, bringing technological improvements and better involvement with student activities.
According to principal Andy Ishibashi, the Parent Teacher Student Association is sponsoring and covering the cost of the renovations to the VICCI center on the first floor. The PTSA approved Ishibashi’s plans for the renovation of the center on April 1.
Juniors George Lee and Serena Yi, students from architecture teacher Julian Pollack’s class, are helping Ishibashi make the plans. Lee, who has been taking architecture for three years, is still in the process of making plans for the new layout of the room with Ishibashi. “They are not finalized yet, but Mr. Ishibashi has a vision on what it’s going to look like,” he said. “We’re just helping him carry it out. He wants us to be there to give student input.”
Although no actual construction is planned, Ishibashi wants to switch the VICCI center with the adjoining English classroom next door in Room 116. “I met with the teacher of that classroom (Timothy Lamarre) to ask his input on how he wants his room set up,” he said.
Lamarre said he does not mind the switch. “The decision was already made, so I respect Mr. Ishibashi’s decision for the new VICCI center,” he said. “They wanted the door to the outside patio that I had in my room.”
Switching venues will give the new VICCI center access to the patio area near the walkway in front of the school where Ishibashi hopes to allow college organizations to hold presentations. This area will be improved on Beautification Day.
Besides replacing the computers in the VICCI center, Ishibashi plans to establish a broadcasting system accessible from any television in the school. This system will allow students and teachers to view presentations by college groups in the VICCI center through their cable televisions at certain times of the day. In addition, Ishibashi wants to install at least three large flat screen monitors throughout the first floor that will display messages and announcements throughout the day.
Silva Siyahian, a parent volunteer in the VICCI center, is excited for the move. “I think this change will make college information more accessible,” she said. “That’s why we’re here in the first place to help the students. We have a lot of information to give out that students should come check out. I’d really like the students to come in early in their high school career, not just their junior or senior years.”
Ishibashi’s goal for the new VICCI center is to get more students involved. According to Ishibashi, the school’s college center should not just be a room in the corner that people rarely visit. “I do not want the college center to be just in the VICCI center, but be out in the first floor and around the building with college posters and banners throughout the first floor,” he said. “The vision of the new VICCI center is to give Lowell a model college center. I want people to come to Lowell and say, ‘Wow!’”
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