A new school year comes with new classes, new teachers and even new friends. This fall, students at this school were greeted with something unexpected: a completely new bell system.
On the first morning of the school year, the change caught students and staff off guard. When the first bell rang, the sound was different and students looked around, unsure if it was the signal to move. Instead of the familiar tone from previous years, the bell was quieter and less recognizable. To add to the surprise, a second bell soon followed, introducing a new feature to students: a warning bell.
The new warning bell rings one minute before the start of each class, giving students a final reminder to make it to their rooms on time. This addition is meant to reduce tardiness and help students manage their time during passing periods.
Principal Dr. Joseph Bostic said that the changes came as part of a bigger update to the school’s public announcement system. The old PA system had been in use for years and was no longer reliable. The new system ensures the office can reach all classrooms instantly in case of emergencies, something that was not always possible before. “When I came here last year, I could not communicate with every classroom. That was a huge safety and security thing for me. If I have to get in touch with a specific classroom, I need to be able to,” Bostic said.
While safety was the main reason for the update, the new system also comes with new features. The bells were the first change, but more could be on the way. Bostic said the possibility of playing music in the hallways during passing periods to create a more calm and welcoming atmosphere. “Music playing during transitions for the purpose of creating a nice vibe in the building for students,” Bostic said.
Reactions from students have been mixed. Students enjoy the warning bell, saying it makes it easier to know how much time they have left, while others find the tones confusing or too soft to notice in busy hallways. “At first, I did not like the bell because it was very quiet and different in the beginning. I still think the bell is quiet and sometimes hard to hear. The new warning bell is definitely different. I think the sound it makes is weird, but I like the idea of having it because now, I don’t have to stress about how much time I have left to get to my class,” junior Jolie Ginsburg said.
Students say that the new PA system is an improvement for safety reasons, but think the sounds of the bell change too often or are unpredictable. Over time, students and staff will likely get used to the new sounds, and the addition of music may make passing periods more enjoyable. “I like the warning bell to remind me to get to class. I think the addition of music could be beneficial for the hallway, making it less gloomy and depressing,” junior Lily Zaiderman said.
