Far from the busy hallways and noisy classrooms are a few hidden treasures on the school’s campus. They are quiet places where students can gather to appreciate the outdoors.
ar from the busy hallways and noisy classrooms are a few hidden treasures on the school’s campus. They are quiet places where students can gather to appreciate the outdoors or the privacy of a conversation.
Seniors probably already know where these hidden treasures rest. But now, juniors, sophomores and freshmen will, too.
Pond:
Yes. There really is a pond at the school. It was created in 1977 by students of former science teacher Jim Bugg, who taught at Southfield High for 34 years before retiring several years ago. The pond was a summer school project that Bugg oversaw.
To find the pond, walk out of the band room. Turn right and exit the school at the nearest door. Go left toward the grass. Look to your left, behind the tree. Don’t fall in.
Science teachers still use the pond for water samples for their classes, says Biology teacher Craig Bonnington. He says he also uses the pond sometimes to get away from the noise because it’s a calm, peaceful location.
Honors Courtyard:
Red rose bushes, gingko trees and park benches dress up one end of the Honors Courtyard, which was built in 2007. It is viewable from the main cafeteria, or commons area windows. The other end of the Honors Courtyard is paved and features large cement balls that look like dinosaur eggs and make creative perches for students.
The school uses the Honors Courtyard as a lunch area in warm weather for students who are on the Honor Roll. Teachers also use the courtyard for the annual lunches and barbecues.
Library Courtyard:
This is a seldom-used, spacious and grassy place outside of the campus library. Spring flowering trees surround its bordering walls. It has no significant use other than looking peaceful with two wooden benches and assorted trees. It’s accessible through glass doors near the main office or through a door in the library.
Greenhouse:
The greenhouse is next door to the pond. It was built in 1955 and was kept up until about 3 years ago in 2008. It was formerly used for growing plants, storing iguanas and other critters that belonged to science teachers, as well as for teaching science and engineering classes.
Joe Minnick, leader of the engineering academy, sometimes takes his students there for an engineering class. He uses the greenhouse for solar panel activities. Also, Chemistry teacher Fred Pellerito occasionally uses the greenhouse for teaching a class or two.
Mostly these days the greenhouse is less green and more house as fewer staff and students have reason to go there.
“It used to have a tree that grew up through the roof called a Norfolk pine,” recalled Bonnington. Without its former plants, it still one of the school’s little sanctuaries but has seen greener days.