While the weather and seasons are always changing, Scituate High School seems to be on its own agenda. There’s no doubt that you can find any temperature here. One block you’ll be sweating in the history wing and the next, you’re shivering in math. The school’s heating system never seems to be in sync with the current season either; the vents will be blowing cold air in the middle of January. So why is the temperature never quite right? And how can we deal with it on a daily basis?

Students and faculty alike are aware of the dramatic temperature changes and have thought of different ways to deal with them. Senior Amanda Montanari claims Mrs. Ciulla’s classroom is one of the coldest in the building and “the heaters blow cold air so we have to cover them with books.” This temperature trend seems to be common in the language wing. Senior Jonah Lewis feels strongly about Mrs. Scott’s classroom and says, “It’s literally colder than probably Antarctica.” These classrooms are apparently so cold that both Mrs. Ciulla’s and Mrs. Scott’s senior classes wore Snuggies to class. “There’s a reason we all wore Snuggies,” Lewis added.

As for SHS teachers, they’ve found their own ways to deal with the temperature. History teacher Ms. Arena has particularly strong opinions on the issue. She claims that the history wing has “the worst temperature in the entire school and on average, it is 10 degrees hotter than outside.” The temperature issue has become so ridiculous that it has interfered with class activities, ruining the effect of the cold environment needed for Ms. Arena’s “factory assembly simulation” of her Industrial Revolution unit. According to Ms. Arena, the teachers of the history department have even gone so far as to have competitions to test whose room is the hottest, the record being 97 degrees. Between the teachers of the history department, there has been discussion for solutions but the only solution seems to be to open windows “in the middle of winter,” added Ms. Arena. Despite the obvious problem the temperature provides for the history wing, Ms. Arena sees the upside as well: “we have the best view.”

As for an explanation for the temperature problem, Paul Donlan, the Director of Business and Finance for Scituate Public Schools, has the answer. Donlan believes there are two major reasons for the odd temperature. He explained that the school’s ventilation system works with a balance between outside air and artificial heat. Because this year has been especially warm, there has been no reason to turn on the school’s boilers so most of the ventilation has come from outside air. While this system works for warmer days, the recent colder weather has presented a need for more artificial heat that the system is not yet providing.

Donlan also blames the temperature on the direct of sunlight. The sun mainly shines on the front side of the building throughout the school day, making the history wing one of the warmest places. However, by the time the sun reaches the other side of the building, the school day has already ended, so these rooms are colder during the day. Overall, Donlan is aware of the temperature issue but based on the school’s heating system, not much can be done.

There is no doubt Scituate High School has an issue maintaining a controlled, comfortable temperature. Senior Davyanna Cox said, “It’s hot when it’s hot and it’s cold when it’s cold.” While the problem has brought discomfort to many students and teachers, simple solutions seem to be the only way to deal with it. Dressing in layers is always a practical option for all. So next time you’re in history, open up a window, and be sure to bring a sweatshirt, or even a Snuggie, to your English or foreign language class.