By Katelynn Luu
This summer, the Fountain Valley High School (FVHS) campus underwent a number of changes and upgrades, and there are more projects to come as “campus beautification” becomes a priority.
The upgrades that occurred this summer include both district-funded projects and school-funded projects.
Pool reconstruction
The pool reconstruction began over the summer break and is expected to be completed in a year. This project is funded by the Huntington Beach Union High School District (HBUHSD); FVHS is the last HBUHSD school to have its pool redone.
Previously, the FVHS pool was actually two: one 12-foot deep diving well that the water polo teams practiced in, and one four-foot pool that the swim team practiced in.
While the pool is under construction, the girls’ and boys’ water polo teams are practicing at Marina High School, and the swim team is practicing at Edison High School.
For senior Jessica Jang on the girls’ water polo team, this change of location poses some challenges.
“Because we have to drive to the location, and the practices are later due to the driving, [practice] takes up my free time. Also, being at someone else’s pool means we have to bring our equipment, and we have to be cautious about what we do at the pool,” Jang said. “But I’m still grateful other schools are letting us use their pools.”
New Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system
Classrooms on the FVHS campus also received a new HVAC system that allows teachers to control the air conditioning in their own classrooms. This is a district-funded project, and all schools in HBUHSD have upgraded to this new system over the summer break.
Previously, the air conditioning system did not allow teachers control of the air conditioning in classrooms. Students and teachers sometimes experienced discomfort with the temperature in classrooms.
“[Before the new HVAC system] it was always cold in here … So I like the controls to be able to warm up the classroom when I feel like the temperature is too low,” math teacher Hoa Kim said.
Kim teaches in classroom 110, which already received the new HVAC system. However, she has experienced some problems with the system not working properly.
“I think it’s great that they gave us controls for plus-or-minus four degrees, but it hasn’t been consistent,” Kim said. “There are some days where I’ve lowered it four degrees, but [the classroom] hasn’t actually gone down in temperature; like, there’s no fan running.”
New Bowl benches
The district also repainted the boards of the benches in the Bowl, some of which were previously broken and chipped.
“The Bowl looks amazing,” FVHS Principal Paul Lopez said. “I’m hoping the kids will pay attention … the Bowl benches are not for walking and jumping on; they’re for sitting.”
Facelift to administration building
The administration building in front of the FVHS campus received a facelift during the summer break; the front trim was repainted blue with yellow lettering, and new window perfs were added.
In contrast to the earlier projects mentioned, this upgrade was funded by FVHS.
“We have some funds that we saved up and we carried over to use for ‘campus beautification,’” Lopez said.
Future projects
Lopez has more campus upgrades lined up for the future after the administration building is completed. He plans to replace the old faded windscreens on the fences surrounding campus, get new flags in the Bowl, place directional signs around campus and replace the metal classroom numbers and hallway label signs.
Some specific areas of campus that Lopez is targeting include the financial office, the grassy knoll by the history halls and the outdoor weight room. The financial office is expected to be painted once the administration building is done, and the grassy knoll by the history halls will be cleaned up after that. The outdoor weight room has already had its mirrors removed and will get new flooring soon.
“It’s just doing those little projects that I think make a big deal for students and for the community when they walk on our campus like, ‘Hey, this is a nice campus,’” Lopez said. “Fountain Valley deserves that.”
To minimize impact on student life and activities on campus, these projects are planned to occur over breaks. Lopez predicts for these projects to not be a financial burden to FVHS as these projects are small and come at a low cost.
“Campus beautification” will be an ongoing priority in FVHS, according to Lopez. He hopes to one day create a position for somebody to paint the campus full-time.
“The two words I’ll use are ‘park-like’ and ‘pristine,’” Lopez said. “Fountain Valley should be a proud place, and it should look that way.”
