By Madison Narain
“The measure of intelligence is the ability to change,” a statement often attributed to Albert Einstein, an eminent theoretical physicist, captures the fundamental truth about human progress. In this concept, Einstein alludes to the fact that intelligence extends far beyond the memorization of facts or formulas, but rather it is seen in our ability to modify, reconsider, and progress. True intelligence is a result of flexibility, creative thinking, the embracing of obstacles, and the ability to pivot when previous methods fail. As the world around us continues to change, we as a community must also evolve with it in order to flourish. Change, prompts us to evaluate our needs, reappraise routines and unite to determine solutions that are progressive and productive.
This type of progress can be seen across the entire campus at Nyack High School. Whether in our classrooms, our conference rooms, or on our sports field, Nyack has shown its continuous drive to evolve to support the needs of our students and community. One prominent example of this can be found right outside of our building.
After speaking with Mr. Sigillo, Nyack School Districts Athletic Director, it has become clear that Nyack High School has long faced challenges with parking, especially when hosting large events and games. Attendees often choose not to park in the main high school parking lot. Instead, many park along both sides of the road by the football field, creating a dangerous situation by restricting emergency access through the street they’re parking on. Conversations with Ms, Saieva, Nyack High School’s Principal, further emphasized that this construction emerged from both necessity and opportunity. When the nearby property became available for purchase, NHS was still struggling with significant parking issues. Recognizing the need, the superintendent, school board and broader community agreed that the acquisition of that land would serve the district as well as the community.
Since then, Mr. Russo, the Head of Facilities has shared that NHS has begun construction of a new parking lot. After years of bidding, planning and refining proposals, work officially began after the start of this school year. Once finished, this new lot is expected to create at least fifty new parking lots for use by students, as well as attendees during sports events. The project is projected to be finished around the spring of 2026.
As a result of this new infrastructure, the circulation of cars across campus is expected to be smoother and more efficient, supporting greater attendance and punctuality at school events. This new parking lot is a clear example of humans' ability to adapt and collaborate to shape a functioning and thriving community. The district was able to identify the increasing demand for parking and the safety concerns that accompanied the limited space, prompting the identification of new possibilities to refine our campus. By bringing together a diverse team of staff and experts, Nyack High School was able to view this project from multiple different perspectives taking into account aesthetics, greenery, water management, and traffic flows. From our principal, to our athletic director, to our head of facilities, everyone continues to use their unique experience, expertise and overall perspectives to design a solution that not only increases functionality, but improves the lives of students.
Finally, we extend our sincere gratitude to the district for its continued commitment to improving the lives of students and investing in the enhancement of our facilities.