Winter hits Sparta with full force
Photo courtesy of Jamie Bishop
As winter sweeps over Northern Virginia, WS students get flashbacks to last year’s winter wonderland in Sparta, which was plagued by icy paths and frozen pipes. This year students face fewer inconveniences, but still rendered the bathrooms sometimes unusable.
February 12, 2018
In the small trailer park that WS students call Sparta, the winter troubles begin to arise as the snow begins to fall and temperatures start to drop. In the past few weeks, there have been many issues having to do with frozen pipes, frozen and broken water jugs, and icy walkways down in Sparta.
One issue that I and many other students have had to deal with lately has been the frozen pipes. A couple weeks ago, the bathrooms in Sparta were inaccessible due to the frozen water lines. Students had to walk back and forth to the main building and their classes in Sparta just to go to the bathroom. Although it is not very far, it’s far too cold and windy to be walking. Even between classes, students and teachers freeze as they try to get to their next class. I understand that no matter what we’re going to have to walk up to the building, but to have no access to the bathrooms during a class is very inconvenient.
There are even some cases where the running water has frozen so there’s no way to wash your hands in the bathroom.
Another issue I have with Sparta are the frozen water jugs. On some days, there are no water taps so students can’t get water throughout the day. Many students, including myself, need water frequently throughout the day and have expressed that it is tedious to have to walk all the way inside just to get a drink or fill up their water bottles. For a healthy diet and hydration, teens need eight- to- ten glasses of water, equivalent to two liters a day. Water is needed throughout the day and should be easily accessed for the students.
One big concern I have with Sparta are the icy walkways. I know it’s not as bad as last year’s ice skating rink, but it can still be a big hazard. After last year’s slippery paths and other issues having to do with ice and snow, the administration has been doing a better job on trying to avoid injuries and other complications that could occur.
There has been ice-melting salt on most snow days; however sometimes there are big patches of ice on the way down to Sparta.
I almost slipped and have seen other students close to taking a dive while they were walking to class. WS has been doing a better job on trying to make adjustments to help the faculty and students, but there is always room for improvement.
