As the new school year kicked off, rangers experienced various changes and improvements to our campus. One of the most prominent modifications was the addition of 32 new portables more notably known as, “Portable City,” due to construction in the school. Whether it’s the long walk in the heat, or complications regarding restrooms, students and staff have found it difficult to adapt to this change.
Since this summer, Vista Ridge has been in the process of rebuilding the campus. Every semester, certain hallways of the school are modified and teachers have to be transported into the new portables located in the old C lot. When construction is finished, each classroom will go back and the cycle will continue. The construction is expected to end in 2027.
“I feel the weather conditions while walking to the portables are manageable, although at times it gets very hot, and it’s a struggle in the rain,” sophomore Selin Atakan said. “I have to walk incredibly fast to make it to class in time. The area is always crowded, making it even more difficult,” Atakan said.
On a daily basis, students have to make long commutes from Portable City to their next classes. Many arrive tardy to their classrooms and have struggled to find the perfect pathways. The downside that is most talked about is the extreme weather conditions outside. High temperatures, humidity, and thunderstorms directly affect students, slowing down traffic and causing congestion. Though long distances can be difficult during passing periods, they also directly affect the security and well-being of students and staff.
“If there were to be an emergency incident in school, students in the portables would not have a way to go to a safe space for a weather or school shooting emergency,” senior Isabella Sanchez said. “I feel like the school did not take into account the safety of students when deciding to build such a large number of portables disconnected from the main buildings.”
One of the most worrying concerns about Portable City is safety. The separation between the main campus and the portables could prevent efficient communication. At the beginning of the year, portables were not hearing announcements or bells which caused some confusion; but that has since been fixed. Portables still follow the same protocols for drills and possible emergency situations. During a severe weather situation, portables know to go to the big gym, and during a lockdown situation portables will follow suit by locking doors and staying out of sight until released.
“I think teaching in the portables has been great and not much different from inside the building,” teacher Ms. McGill said. “One downside is that it’s difficult to use the bathroom because we have to go all the way into the building. It takes a little bit longer than if we were just to walk down the hallway.” McGill said.
While the distance from the building can serve as an obstacle for things such as going to the restroom, teaching in the portables does not differ from having a ‘normal’ classroom. Teachers can easily have lectures, grade assignments, and carry out daily tasks in their temporary space. Many are grateful for the care that went into creating a room that suited all their classroom needs.
“The administration has done a great job of providing us with the necessary resources to teach in a portable regardless of being disconnected from the building,” McGill said.
