While students enjoyed a warm summer at the beach, the CDM campus received a few highly visible upgrades. On the first day back, many students immediately noticed the most prominent change, a large blue tarp over the quad’s main stage.
Students enjoy the shade under a new blue tarp over the quad stage.
Just a few months ago the stage was barren, glare a serious problem, and the area dominated by sea gulls. With the simple addition of a large awning, all of that has changed. The renovations transformed the stage from a “dead zone” into what might become the epicenter of the quad.
The addition was well received by many students who see it as a beautification of the school. Senior Sebastien Welch remarked, “The tarp is useful, it filled up empty space, and looks pretty good.”
On the other hand, some students question whether the tarp was really what the school needed. Sophomore Cort Hastings shared his view, saying “the tarp is a nice idea, but it doesn’t affect me much because I rarely find myself underneath it.”
The shade and closure provided by the tarp make it a more useful venue for the ASB. Senior Class Vice President Hillary Bush said, “I think it’s really cool… a nice shady place to hang out on a really sunny day, and I like how they took down that big wall behind it, looks nice.”
The absence of a wall also allows for improved visibility, as the stage can now be seen from almost 360° around.
Some have raised questions over the need for such an addition. Senior Sam Parks looked at the financial side. He said, “It seems like a waste of the already small amount of money our school has.” Parks went on to question whether this was the correct allocation of funds when other school programs desperately need money.
Other changes around campus include more planters and upgraded handicap access. The changes over the past few years have modernized a once outdated campus, and will serve the school for many years to come.
September 17th, 2009 at 7:56 PM
Does the tarp help channel rain? Will students be dry underneath it? Does it only shield against the sun?
September 17th, 2009 at 8:16 PM
We won’t know until it rains in California, and that may be a very long time… but when it does, check back for an update. For now, it only shields against the sun, but ever since many of the trees were removed, shade has been highly sought after.
September 19th, 2009 at 11:22 AM
Well as far as break and lunch go, I have not seen an increase in the number of people standing in that place sooo… good job CDM?
September 19th, 2009 at 7:06 PM
Actually it does get use now, though mainly from middle schoolers.
September 23rd, 2009 at 9:14 AM
Geez, we used to sit in the sun, and we liked it! (…and that was after “trudging” 3/4 of a mile in the heat, rain, or even wind) to get to class… The quad was filled with activity (and with students engaged in same). We did not justify cutting down trees, which provided shade for those who wanted it, and then replace them with a tarp. With a tarp? Try sunscreen.
I think I shall never see a tarp as lovely as a tree…
How the world has changed.
September 24th, 2009 at 11:14 PM
While that is a valid point, I believe that trees lack the proper sealant properties that the tarp does, and also, the tarp possesses space age insulating materials which significantly increase the heat storing capacity of the tarped area.
Also, the trees littered the school with berries and leaves, which the tarp does not. Additionally, sunscreen does not work, and more importantly, is slightly uncomfortable.
Some may say that the tarp is a beneficial addition, others say that it is needless, but I have this to say: it’s a tarp!