By Alex Serratelli ’12, Staff Writer

While the students of Newark Academy were relaxing on their two-week long winter break, the maintenance and cooking staff were hard at work making our building more efficient and our bodies more nourished.

Food Service Director Mr. Brower oversaw some menu changes, including the addition of the “Gorilla Plus” pasta to our cafeteria’s offerings.  Mr. Brower says that the new pasta “has about as much protein as meat.” Additionally, the cold cuts the school has served in previous years have been replaced with all-natural cold cuts that lack the additives and preservatives found in lower quality meats. In the serving line areas, the maintenance staff repainted the walls, changed the ceilings, and replaced the lighting.

Outside of the cafeteria, the doors to many classrooms have been refurbished. “We stained and sanded 70% of the classroom doors, and have improved the electrical and plumbing systems,” says Director of Operations Mr. Brian Stephenson.

While speaking to Mr. Stephenson, I asked a question that has been on my mind throughout my five years at Newark Academy, and I am sure has crossed the minds of many other students and teachers: “Why is Room 6 so cold?” For those students who are unaware, Room 6 is the room at the end of the language corridor where such teachers as Mrs. McNeilly-Anta, Ms. Saraceno, and Mr. Hawk hold classes. It is a room infamously known for being quite unsympathetic during the cold winter months. Mr. Stephenson’s response: “That is a hard room to keep warm. It has many skylights, windows, and two exterior walls,” which all allow the cold air to enter the classroom. Most important in understanding why the room is so frigid,  however, is its very poor insulation.

Although I will continue to dread the winters in Room 6, the school, as a whole, has seen significant improvements over the last month. We will continue to see such improvements as the Master Plan begins to unfold over the next few decades.