Be Prepared

The Bartlett Community Partnership School is not like most other schools. If you’re one of our many students who has been here since kindergarten, then you might not appreciate how different this school is from others.

First off, most schools were not designed by Architectural Mazes Limited, the Bartlett was.

I have advocated for giving new students a bag of bread crumbs so they can find their way back to the door at the end of the day. Seriously, is the front door really on the third floor?  And, how do you explain a “ramp level?”

Second; wear light clothing all year long. There are days when the heat just won’t quit. Between the heating system working with a vengeance, and many of the classrooms getting direct sun all day long, we could probably bake cupcakes in some of the classrooms. And, it’s totally unpredictable. Some days start off nice and comfortable only to turn into scorching hot Sahara-like conditions. You just never know.

Next; Wear heavy clothing on top of your light clothing. I know it’ll feel a little bulky, but it’s totally worth it. That unpredictable thing works both ways - sometimes it feels like you’re sitting inside a pizza oven, and sometimes it’s so cold you kind of expect a penguin to waddle up to you. You just never know, so you have to be prepared for anything. You can always take your hoodie off and stuff it in your locker, but you can’t run home to get it at 10am.

Also, if you plan to wash your hands, and with an average of 1.2 bathroom trips per student per hour, you should be washing your hands multiple times per day, be prepared for either scalding hot steam or ice cubes coming out of the tap. I am exaggerating, but the same folks who designed our random temperature heating system, must have also designed our random temperature plumbing system. You never know what you’re going to get. Some days we have nice, hot water, other days none…no hot water at all. You just never know, so you have to be prepared for anything. 

Finally, be ready for the unexpected. Like days when a water pipe breaks and we don’t have any water. Or the annual mouse infestation that begins as the weather cools. You just never know what’s going to happen next.

Plan ahead.

Be prepared.

Bring anything you could possibly need. 

Don’t be surprised when the unexpected happens, just go with it.