The Education Exchange
The Education Exchange aims to enlighten parents and empower students as they navigate through the high school experience and beyond. This podcast is produced by the Tolleson Union High School District.
The Education Exchange
S3 E2 - La Joya Community Facility Improvements
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On Season 3 Episode 2 of The Education Exchange, Tolleson Union High School Superintendent Jeremy Calles meets with Principal Sorensen at La Joya Community High School as well as the Student Body Executive President and Senior President to discuss current projects being worked on at campus, and the future ones to come. Our students and principal walk us through their personal interests connected to these upgrades and renovations, and how it could create a positive impact for future school years at La Joya Community High School.
The Education Exchange is produced by the Tolleson Union High School District. Learn more at www.tuhsd.org and be sure to like, follow and share!
Welcome to the Education Exchange. I'm your host, Superintendent Jeremy Kayas. We're here today to talk with La Jolla Community High School. We have a couple of representatives from our student government, along with our principal. We're going to go over some of the recent facility upgrades along with those that are planned coming down the road. And I'm going to let them introduce themselves, starting first with Ivan.
SPEAKER_00Hi, my name is Ivan Valodez Garcia. I am the executive president of student council at uh La Jolla Community High School.
SPEAKER_01My name is Lily Brewer. I am the senior class president here at La Jolla Community High School.
SPEAKER_04Bill Sorensen, grateful principal of La Jolla Community High School.
SPEAKER_02All right. So let's talk about all the improvements planned and recently enacted here at La Jolla as we continue to make the school better, make the educational experience better here at La Jolla. I'm going to go over some of the recent ones and kind of get your reactions to them. The first one I want to talk about is the student parking lot. And if you guys have noticed the changes to the student parking lot, a little history on that. I was I was meeting with student government over here at La Jolla and they brought up a lot of concerns about the student parking lot. And uh at that point we started brainstorming on things that we could be that could be done that included um adding some speed bumps and just want to know how how was that working out? Like how how have you seen the changes during your time here?
SPEAKER_01Um I have noticed some changes in the student parking lot. I myself drive to school uh with my brother every single morning, and I believe that the student parking lot, it has been pretty smooth to get in and out. Um the speed bumps I feel really do help. They help regulate the traffic a bit and everything, help everything go kind of smoothly, uh, whether that's coming to school or on my way home. Um I believe our student parking lot has improved greatly, and I think that it is um a great addition to Lawyer.
SPEAKER_02And Bill, from the principal's perspective, what do you think? It's has it been easier to manage now? A little bit more safe.
SPEAKER_04It's definitely safer. It's definitely safer for sure. Um, I think the biggest change for our kids was, I'm not sure when it was when we got those uh solar power shade structures. I think that's so nice for kids to be able to park in the shade and not come into a car that's 130 degrees. So that was also a significant change just for the quality of life of our kids, which I think is great.
SPEAKER_02Oh, absolutely. We always uh when it comes to covered parking, uh we would like as much of it as possible. And the solar is a way to make it cost neutral for us to be able to do that solar covered parking. So definitely another great addition. Speaking of shade, since you brought up the topic and I'll swing it back over here to Ivan. Ivan, what are your thoughts about the big shade canopy that we added to the middle of the courtyard to try to add some more shade out there to the middle of the courtyard?
SPEAKER_00I think the canopy definitely benefits the people who hang out under the courtyard. It definitely provides them shade. It's really hot in Arizona as we know it. It's been over 100 degrees lately. So I think it's really beneficial that the students who hang out under the courtyard have shade provided.
SPEAKER_02Now, those are also some ideas that came up from Stugo, but also were echoed by your grateful principal that yes, we wanted to look at adding more shade. Uh, and and that takes us into some of the future projects because as we're looking around the campus, there's a lot of rocks, a lot of rocks between all the walking places. Um, so you see concrete and rock, concrete and rock between buildings over and over again. And it's it's been brought up more than a time or two that we like to kind of green that out and also add some more shade in, uh, maybe some turf with some shade canopies to make those areas uh more inviting, easier to walk through so rocks don't get stuck in your shoes. What are what are some of your thoughts about looking at some of those rock and concrete areas and doing something a little bit differently to put a little bit more green and a little bit more shade to them?
SPEAKER_00Uh I definitely agree that we should uh flatten out like the rocks and replace it with grass. I think it would be really beneficial since our school has a lot of students and some people try to get across. Some people unfortunately have to walk through the rocks and these rocks get stuck in the shoes. Um, I know people who have white shoes uh often say that their shoes start turning color due to the rocks. Um, so I think it would be beneficial if we had maybe turf or grass there.
SPEAKER_01And uh I also completely agree. I think that turf or grass would be very beneficial. And uh not only would it be more convenient, because like Ivan had previously said, a lot of rocks do get tend to get caught in shoes, or shoes will start to turn colors as well. Um it also just helps the look of our campus, makes it feel cleaner. Um, and it's just like a nice way to tidy it up and make it feel almost more welcoming in a way for students. I know we have a lot of incoming students. Um and I think that would be a great addition to our school. I know we currently have our Lobo Lawn uh right in the center, which is, I want to say, our only form of grass as of right now. And um, the students really enjoy it. We have people who play football during lunch or leisure time, and I think it would be a great addition to have uh just around our campus.
SPEAKER_02Well, definitely something that we're looking forward to. Do you mind if I add something, Mr.
SPEAKER_04Kevin, real quick about that? So not only is it like aesthetically, kids talk about their shoes, and it's interesting to watch like high schoolers walk sometimes. They don't want to have creases on their shoes, and like shoes is a big thing, right? Now, big concept. But I would also say functionally, it requires work for maintenance because those rocks can clog drains, so they're always clearing it out. So unfortunately, they're like spending time clearing out these rocks instead of doing other things, and they're just so busy. So, outside of the aesthetically pleasing look and giving our kids what they want, it also helps our school function at a higher rate if we were to do that.
SPEAKER_02Absolutely. And I could picture similar to Lobo Lawn, how you say they're playing football out there, that once once you have more turfed out areas with some shade, you can get all kinds of different events going. And that can be a more functional space that people look forward to instead of something that they're trying to avoid. So, so definitely a uh a future project that we're we're looking forward to. Uh, some of the other projects that are on the list uh for La Jolla have to do a lot with maintenance, um, along with uh, you know, just taking care of security. So go over examples of some of those. It's uh weatherization, which is when we do exterior painting for the buildings, um, some interior renovations that also include, you know, some fresh paint, uh, perimeter fencing to help make sure that the school has a complete secure perimeter, especially now that we're doing uh weapons detectors. You know, if there's if there's too many easy access points to get in through the perimeter, then it kind of takes away from your security. So, you know, getting that secure piece. Um, and resurfacing of parking lots, you know, uh your parking lots are starting to crack, and maybe you guys have noticed that. Um, and it's and it's time to get them resurfaced. When you're when you're thinking about some of these types of items, I know they're not as eye-popping and glamorous as getting some shade and some turf, but when you're thinking of some of these types of items, how do you how do you guys feel about these things that need to be done for the school?
SPEAKER_04We have a beautiful campus. We definitely need a paint job. I don't see any navy blue, I don't see any gold, I don't see any of our colors. You know, I would think it was around that like southwestern 70s motif or 90s or 80s or wherever it was. Um, but we need some logo color and some logo spirit. I know I've been spending my budget trying to um brand some of the things that we've done regarding the windscreens in the football field and the different doors that we've had labeled. And I know we're gonna get like numbers painted, so we're gonna get those blue, but it would go a long way to really represent from the outside how beautiful our campus is to get that repainted. And what I know as human beings is the nicer things look aesthetically, the more pride we take. So I believe every time we make an improvement on the visual aspect of schools, that's gonna give us more pride in our kids. And obviously, we have two amazing children that like are just adding value. But when you got, you know, we're over 2,300 kids now, and you come into a space that looks nice, makes them feel special, makes them have pride in their school, makes them maybe pick up a piece of trash now that they have pride to trying to maintain this place. So maybe you're looking at, oh, how does painting improve learning? I think it improves the pride in our school, and that will carry over into a lot of aspects of how we function as a school.
SPEAKER_00Sort of to build off what Dr. Sorensen said, I do think adding more of our school colors would make it more visually enhancing, and it would definitely increase like the pride and um representation we have as a school. Uh, I know that our school throughout is like mostly like a teal kind of color. Um I think it would be a good idea to add more navy blue and gold, uh, you know, give it that touch La Jolla needs.
SPEAKER_01And to build off of what Ivan and Dr. Sorensen said, I also do agree. I feel like most of our school is that tan and teal color. And I almost feel like besides like the ACT posters that we have outside or uh senior gifts that were left behind from previous classes, I feel like our campus doesn't have as much uh level spirit and as much pride as I would like. And I think that uh taking that extra step to add that to our campus is gonna be great for the students and the future classes here at La Jolla.
SPEAKER_02Absolutely. I I definitely agree with everything you've done with the doors, and it would be nice if all the buildings had the same kind of pop to them. I mean, it's an A school. All of you have worked hard to make it an A school. Uh, we'd like to work hard to make it look like an A school. So uh definitely some welcome additions uh here on the Capital Improvements list. Um, some of the other things that we have on here include a renovation of the Performing Arts Center. Um, that includes uh some interior space upgrades, some new theatrical equipment and lighting. Um, do either of you uh do any performances? Have you been a part of any of the the have you ever had to go to performances inside the performing arts center? And what do you think about those upgrades?
SPEAKER_01Uh I personally am not in any uh performing arts uh clubs or activities or anything like that myself, but I do also have friends who participate in those. I have friends who are in dance and I have friends that are in theater. And I know that this new theater equipment would be a great addition for them. It would help them out tremendously, uh, make performances go smoother. And I also think that these adjustments would also um be a great addition for the guests coming in as well to watch their friends or their family members perform and do what they love on that stage.
SPEAKER_00So I think it would benefit uh performing art center kids such as theater, choir, dance. Uh, I do think this would benefit them greatly. Um, I know they often do shows uh to build up money for their class. Uh, I do think it would be beneficial to them as well.
SPEAKER_02And Bill, you'd have a different perspective because I'm thinking this made it to the list because some of your teachers have probably voiced up some concerns they've had with some of the equipment in there. How how do you feel about uh getting these renovations on the list?
SPEAKER_04What I know is our teachers and our performing arts are industry standard. I mean, they are doing things, they are doing performances, they are building sets at a level that I have never seen on this campus before. And I think oftentimes when you think of theater, you think of performance, you think of everything in the front of the house on the stage. But there is so much learning that occurs in the backstage with some of that equipment and navigating the lights and moving these things. And with the way technology is changing so rapidly, if we really want to set our students up for a career in that field regarding post-secondary success, we should have the best equipment for them to use that is industry standard that prepares them to step into that if that's the realm that they want to do. So I know the instruction is there. I would say, once again, generally, our facilities are beautiful, but I know there are a number of things that I don't understand behind the scenes that the experts, which are the teachers, are telling me, Bill, we could use this, kids could use this, kids can learn so much here. So I don't understand how it works, but my experts are telling me it's gonna help improve the education and furthering of our mission as a school. So, yeah, I think it it would be a tremendous benefit.
SPEAKER_02Well, that'd be amazing to see some of your former students rolling on the credits out of after the next Spider-Man movie and know that they got their start here working in this equipment. Uh, one of the other uh big things that we have coming up uh uh for this campus and and for several of our campuses is we've been looking at adding auxiliary gyms. And and one of the main things pushing for the auxiliary gyms is we've had a lot of push for certain sports like boys' volleyball, badminton, and we just don't have space when we're all sharing one gym uh because there's already so many sports and everybody else going for that same gym. So we've been looking at adding an auxiliary gym so we can add these extra offerings for students. What are some of your thoughts around giving students more opportunities, more sports to be able to choose from?
SPEAKER_01I think an auxiliary gym would be a great addition to our campus. I know that we also are pushing for a lot of newer sports like you had mentioned. Um, but I also do think it would be um a great improvement for our current sports that we have. I know that we have flag football, football, we have girls and boys soccer, and those are all outdoor sports. Arizona's hot. It's very hot outside, and especially around this time of the year, it gets really hot outside. And there's only so much indoor space that we have here at Ala Jolla. We have our current gym, we have the cafeteria, but there's only so much people that can fit in those spaces. So I think an auxiliary gym would be great uh to have for people already participating in those other sports so that they can have the privilege of practicing uh indoors with air conditioning as well.
SPEAKER_00Uh to build off what Lily said, I do agree that an auxiliary gym would benefit La Jolla for the best. It is really hot outside. People who want to participate in sports, such as those volleyball and basketball, they all require inside gyms. So I think building an extra gym for those people would be really beneficial. Um, I know there are a lot of incoming like freshmen. The classes are getting bigger as they come. A second gym would definitely help like provide the space for the students.
SPEAKER_02Definitely in a growing area out here. Bill, what are what are some of your thoughts about adding the auxiliary gym?
SPEAKER_04Oh, we need an auxiliary gym for a lot of reasons. One is safety. When we have assemblies in the gym, that means PE classes are outside. It is hot. And I know our PE and wellness program does a great job of navigating the physical spaces they have, but to have another gym where kids could learn those essential skills of wellness in an air conditioned area would be absolutely a game changer. What I believe is that schools are community assets. We want our gyms to be filled every weekend, every night for any group that wants to come in. We have multiple groups renting our facilities. It's awesome to get kids first, second, third, fourth grade on our campus. This is their home already. They can experience that. And with two gyms, that just multiplies the number of people in our community that can utilize these resources for the betterment of whatever they're doing, whether it's theater or whether it's another sport, that extra gym is huge. I am a huge champion of badminton. I think badminton is a sport that grabs kids that normally wouldn't play. I think it's like very low pressure because I don't think a lot of people have experience with badminton. So you can just go out there and not know what you're doing and figure it out and find other kids that don't know what they're doing. But hey, this is a silly sport with this shuttlecock. It's a great game, but it's very welcoming to so many people. So oftentimes, in my experience of previous schools, we've had huge badmintons with kids that have never played badminton before. So having that additional facility is only going to add to kids being able to find community, you know, people that like the things that they do, form an identity. Maybe, hey, now I'm a jock all of a sudden playing Badman. I never knew I was, right? So I'm doing those athletic things, right? And find their purpose. So it's one more thing to grab kids and hold on to them. So I believe that La Jolla has something for everyone. Adding that facility will improve safety for our wellness classes. It will increase community assets in regard to using it, and it will increase the opportunity for kids to find that purpose identity community. So I'm a huge champion of having that auxiliary gym. Even though our main gyms are beautiful. We have three full gyms. It's awesome. It's a beautiful space. But having a separate building changes the usefulness of a space rather than if we were just to increase the size of that space, the footprint of it. So yeah, huge, huge uh advocate of that.
SPEAKER_02Absolutely. Very well said. It's completely different to have two separate spaces versus two people trying to compete within the same space and uh making their own separate noise, competing within the same space. And and very well said about, you know, these are facilities that are built by the community and for the community. So a great addition for the community. Um, when you're looking at the campus for all three of you, when you're looking at the campus, I mean, you see our list of proposed capital improvements that are sitting currently on our capital improvement plan. But the district allows some flexibility so that way we can be able to add things as as things come up that need to be addressed, that we're able to have that flexibility to address those. What are some things that you feel are missing? What's what's something, an improvement uh you feel would be great for the school? Something that you've looked at and uh and you've wished, like, you know what, I I wish the district would do something about this over here and make this better.
SPEAKER_00Um, I was gonna say something that we could possibly add is more shades. I know there are shades like outside of the cafeteria that can be found and under some of the buildings. Also under the courtyard, there is one canopy. But throughout our campus, I feel like shade is something that we are really missing throughout it. It's really hot, it's really sunny. Walking through those classes, it is like a far walk. So I think adding more canopies throughout the campus, providing that shade, um, would be beneficial to our school.
SPEAKER_02Absolutely. If you're going from the Stugo room all the way to the cafeteria, yeah, that's that's a long walk with a lot of sunshine.
SPEAKER_01Yes. And to kind of build off of what Ivan said, I also do agree that I think shade would be a great addition to our school. Um I think even though we do have some shaded areas, we do also have some trees that provide with shade. I feel like people kind of tend to compete for those areas um unknowingly. Um I also do believe that more areas for seating available around the school would also be a great addition. I know that um a lot of people tend to stand out in the open and it can sometimes block walkways or um make it harder to get around to your classes. So I also think that maybe seating around our campus would also be a great addition to have as well.
SPEAKER_02So would you picture if we're remodeling some of those, because we got a lot of squares out here that are just rocks. If we're remodeling those squares of rock to have like a turf, a picnic bench or two in the middle, and then a shade canopy over the top, and then that would make that a very useful space.
SPEAKER_01I do think that would be a very useful space. I know that kind of towards the uh center of our school, we do have something similar. We have uh several tables where kids can sit at, whether that be in the morning, during school, after school. And I think that little miniature seating areas around our campus would also be great to have as well.
SPEAKER_02So it's a great suggestion.
SPEAKER_01Thank you.
SPEAKER_04Yeah, I got three, one of which may not be very cost feasible, it'd be a good use of money, but I got three of them. One is like probably kids are like, I don't even care about, but I do a lot. One is definitely more shade. We just getting so big the kids are having a tough time finding places to eat underneath the shade. You know, we got the inside cafeteria, we got shade trees. So definitely more shade and more of that functional space of replacing those rocks and getting it and make it nice. So that will help. Number two, something I hear from kids that may not be a good return on value, but misters, like I keep hearing kids, I want misters, I want misters, but I think they're like astronomically expensive. But that would be a nice thing to have. I know we have those bigger fans, but also misters would be nice. But from principals' point of view, we do not have a good learning space for adults. We have a staff of about 125 people. We don't have a good learning space. The cafeteria is not a good learning space. It is open, it is loud, it is tough visibility. Our lecture hall is not a good, it's a good space for meetings, but it's not a good space to have interactive, good instructional meetings. And then we have another room that's like almost there that can fit about 80 staff members. So West Point High School has like an innovation space that's just like you can teach and learn and bring people in. I want a space where we can teach adults that can fit 150 adults in a space where we can use interactive whiteboards and we can do different things to help them learn. So that's one that I'm really excited about that would really, for future ones, I would advocate for and champion.
SPEAKER_02Well, those where we do have those community rooms and those spaces that that sit the 150, yes, absolutely. It not just works for training staff, but also for community events, evening events to be able to bring in groups when when uh when it works out better to have tables instead of everybody sitting in a performing arts center and only be at chairs. So, yes, those are very functional spaces uh that we do have available on some of our other campuses. Um, so definitely a lot of great suggestions there uh as we continue to work through our capital improvement plan and um, you know, be able to look at prioritizing these items and how we get these items in, of course, all dependent on the community support for us continuing to improve our facilities. So uh appreciate you guys bringing those suggestions and appreciate you guys sharing your thoughts uh with all of our listeners here today about how we can keep looking forward to improving the La Jolla Community High School. And we also appreciate our listeners for tuning in once again to the Education Exchange, where we aim to enlighten our parents and empower our students. We're looking forward to seeing you again next time.
SPEAKER_03Thank you so much for tuning in to today's episode of the Education Exchange. Have a question or want to be a guest on our podcast? Email podcast at tuhsd.org for more information. Missed an episode? Catch all seasons of the Education Exchange on your favorite streaming platforms or at www.tuhsd.org forward slash podcast. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe, and we'll see you next week for another episode of the Education Exchange.
