After some final tweaking, new GPS clocks that are synchronized that are synchronized to the second in every room, not to mention emblazoned with the school seal, are in place.
Installing the new GPS clocks were part of an upgrade during the Leadership and Learning campaign. The school wanted to bring the clocks up to accepted industry standards, said Nick Hernandez, Director of Finance and Operations.
“Because of the construction we had the ability to install a GPS system at the time that would work throughout the campus,” said Facilities Manager Philip Burns.
Also, the previous clock system was so old that new parts could no be ordered, Burns said.
Chaos nearly erupted among many students when the clocks were missing for a week at the beginning of second semester. But no one seems to have noticed the synchronization of all the clocks with the bells.
“When I first saw that the clocks were not here, I didn’t understand why putting the emblem on was such a priority. I actually thought it was a waste of money,” said Nicole Malick ’11.
However, putting on the emblem had “no financial impact at all,” said Burns.
The GPS system was in place at the beginning of the year, but a number of students noted that not all the clocks were in sync with the bells. Hernandez said he wasn’t aware of the problem, but that it’s possible that some minor adjustments were made while the clocks were gone.
There are a few teachers who appreciate the synchronization.
“It’s nice to know that the time the clocks reads is really the correct time,” said Associate Director of Administrative Technology Ida Dahan.
Most teachers rarely even check the clocks for the time, and use smartboards or their own watches to keep track of their class periods.
“I never look at clocks to tell the time-I look at computers,” said Math Instructor John Frank.
Teachers, such as History Instructor Tom Millar, who have been here awhile, have a good sense of what time it is.
“I’ve been teaching here 11 years, so my internal clock is already set. I rarely need to check for the time”.
