New Band Room and Air Conditioned Gyms Greet Returning Hornets

Students rehearse in the updated band room. *Photo: Justin Cen*

By TIFFANY TAN and JUSTIN CEN

Students were welcomed back into the hive this fall with a series of significant renovations. Perhaps the most notable change could be felt in the gyms, which are now equipped with eight new air conditioners.

Calvin Cortes ‘25 said, “I’m no longer being baked like a marshmallow in a campfire.”

Sophomore Iris Lin said, “I love the A/Cs. I’m super happy they finally finished constructing them because the gym was truly hot.”

“Last year, after getting air conditioners in the auditorium, I said hey, next year, let's try to get them in the gym, and we did,” said Principal Robert Quinlan.

However, in a school of 4,000, you can’t please everyone.

Philip Kong ‘25 said, “I see a lot of people complaining about cold sweats.”

“Honestly, there’s no difference,” said senior Ashley Sorto Murillo.

The school’s band room also got a facelift.

Dr. Quinlan decided to renovate the band room “almost the minute I walked in,” he said. “I left the design to the music teachers. It was their input.”

Band teacher Mr. Todd Hayen said, “It is definitely a big improvement from the old room, and we are happy to have new shelving, acoustic panels for sound quality, and a back room with more instrument storage.”

“I’m excited about the band room renovations,” Samuel Jacobowitz ‘25 said. “The space feels revitalized, and everything not only looks improved but is also more functional. This renovation paves the way for a brighter future for the band program.”

Besides a spruced up main space, the back room, which was once an office for the teachers, has been converted to two smaller rooms for students to practice in.

“Many students are grateful for that extra space,” said Mr. Hayen. “We are happy [the administration] can support the upgrades and provide us with instruments for every student to have their own when they are in class.”

Over the past year, the annex bridge tiling has also been redone and cameras have been added to the perimeter of the school to cover more areas.

Students may have noticed that Midwood is currently surrounded by scaffolding. Dr. Quinlan said the city is working on the school’s brickwork, roof, and windows, and the project will take two years.

Along with the outdoor updates, Dr. Quinlan plans to “really focus on safety” with other new additions.

“I think it is important to invest in some new cameras and make sure the square footage is covered in the building,” he said. “I also want to give the general office a facelift to look newer and fresher.”

“I think people are going to be happy with the new things when they get going,” he added. “It is entirely student- and program-centered.”

So what else are students hoping for in the future?

“They should fix up the boys' bathrooms and reopen more of them,” said Gabriel Duran ‘25.

“Fix the heat,” said Sorto Murillo. “It is so cold in the annex and hot in the main building.”

After we brought up the temperature, Dr. Quinlan explained that unfortunately there’s not much the school can do about it because the heat comes from Brooklyn College.

Dr. Quinlan said, “I am all about student voice and working together with the community. I want the kids to be comfortable, happy, and really enjoying their experience at Midwood.”