This school year has brought a lot of new changes for high schoolers. One of the biggest is that the new middle school has been built right beside the high school. Very cool, right? Well… not for everyone.

Because construction is still in progress, not everything is finished—and that includes the high school gym. The old gym that THS students used last year now belongs to the middle school. That leaves high schoolers outside for gym class, no matter if it’s hot or cold, which has brought a lot of mixed opinions.

Aiden Brooks, a THS student and football player, said having gym outside affects him in “various ways.” With the weather changing, he explained that the cold often dries out his nose, which leads to nosebleeds and allergies.

The school sees this transition as a way to reduce class disruption. Sharing the same gym with middle schoolers would mean one massive class for only a few teachers to handle. By giving middle schoolers the old gym and moving high schoolers outside, students can all participate without overcrowding.

But outdoor gym comes with its challenges. Recently, students had to run the mile, and many had gym first period—when mornings are at their coldest. One of those students, Buchizia Mwape, also a football player, said it felt like “more exercise” but added that the weather made him feel sick. He described having a runny nose, a dry cough, and a “constant feeling of sickness” afterward.

Football coach Mr. Horton also noticed the impact on his team. He was frustrated with the sudden sickness spreading among his athletes, but admitted that being outside “reduces” illness overall compared to being in an enclosed space. Still, he warned that as temperatures keep dropping, outdoor gym could become a negative situation for students.