Assignments, tests, quizzes, and homework are enough for students to worry about, the temperature in their classrooms shouldn’t be another addition to that list. Feeling comfortable at school shouldn’t be something that varies from class to class or hour to hour, suitable temperatures are crucial for the success of students and staff members.
Woodhaven High School’s teachers and students currently have no control over the temperature in their classrooms. Therefore, if their class is too cold or too warm, they have to endure it for the rest of the day in hopes of a slight temperature change the next day. With controllable thermostats in each classroom, students and teachers could greatly benefit as they could adjust the thermostats according to their needs.
Although temperature may seem like a small issue at Woodhaven High School, it has impacted numerous students and can cause serious damage to one’s health.
“Whenever it’s cold in my classroom I’m not as productive and end up with extra homework. One time, I had to work in the hallway to finish my essay because it was too cold in my classroom,” said Payton Murphy, a senior at Woodhaven High School.
Extreme temperatures are distracting students and making them less productive. School can be challenging to students with their heavy coursework and difficult classes, having to do work in the hallway due to extreme temperatures shouldn’t be the norm. If controllable thermostats were added to each classroom, students and teachers could decide which temperature would suit each classroom best, preventing people from feeling uncomfortable at school.
Furthermore, suitable temperatures allow students to perform better on quizzes and tests. A study in 2014 confirms that extreme temperatures impact students’ learning and performing abilities. As included in the study, “High school students scored an average of 76 percent when it was 61°F, and did worse when it was 81°F, scoring an average of 72 percent. When it was 72°F, what most people would consider a comfortable temperature, students’ average scores went up to 90 percent.” Tests and quizzes are already difficult, students shouldn’t have to endure extreme temperatures while taking them.
Temperature has a lot to do with one feeling comfortable, however, extreme temperatures can cause severe damage to one’s health, which should never be the case at school.
Extreme temperatures can create harmful bacteria and viruses in classrooms, putting students and teachers in danger. According to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, “roughly half of the educators and students working and learning in school buildings are breathing air polluted by bacteria, chemicals, viruses, and pesticides,” with controllable thermostats, suitable temperatures would be prevalent throughout Woodhaven High School, decreasing harmful bacteria and chemicals.
Although one may counter and consider how difficult it would be for teachers to adjust to having controllable thermostats in their classrooms, it would be a small setback for a large success. Students would be more focused in their classes, test and quiz grades would increase since students could perform and learn better, and teachers would have an easier time teaching students. Controllable thermostats were made and placed in classrooms for a reason, and it is time for Woodhaven High School to take advantage of the technology and resources we have today.
