With the addition of the INCubator lab, the C Building at York has undergone much change. From the relocation of the Test Makeup Center (TMC) to the creation of the new Flex Lab, there has been much buzz amongst students and teachers regarding the exciting renovations. 

“Because we created the INCubator class, we had to find a place for what we use to call the Lincoln Lab,” McGuire said. “The new Lincoln Lab moved across the hall where the Test Makeup Center was. We created a Flex Room in there for teachers to be able to use [for class].”

The Flex Lab is intended for teachers to reserve and utilize for class time. It offers students an alternative space to learn that differs from a normal classroom setting. Subsequently, the TMC was moved to the northeast corner of the Learning Commons. This change affects students for the better.

“This move definitely improved the test make up area,” McGuire said. “Now in the back of the LC it’s a lot quieter.”

Not only is the new location of the TMC a better fit, but the Peer Tutor area was also moved to an environment where it is better suited. In the back of the Flex Lab, a wall was created to give the Pure Tutor center its own space.

“It’s nice to have our own space to establish a tutoring environment,” senior and peer tutor Darelle Menendie said. “There isn’t that much noise and disruption coming in, and we can be as loud as we need to be.”

With the tutor center out of the way, the Learning Commons utilized the unoccupied  space to organize the fiction books. The new set up should appeal to students who are looking for a good read.

“We recently genrefied our fiction section,” Head Librarian Erica Drumm said. “It makes it more like a bookstore, so if you didn’t come in with a specific book in mind you can gravitate toward your interests.”

Whether you’re browsing for a new sci- fi book, making up a math quiz in the TMC, or even just spending your English class in the Flex Lab, students are sure to experience the changes of York sometime this semester.

“I think these changes definitely generate some energy for our kids at York,” McGuire said.  “When you’re in a classroom like the INCubator space it gets you more excited to be there each and every single day, and which adds to the energy and feeling of the school.

With all the major changes around the C Building, students may overlook the small improvements implemented to enhance life at York. This year, the Learning Commons is offering a multitude of outlets for students to destress including a new board game area and even access to oculus virtual reality headsets.

“High school is a very busy time, and I think it’s important students carve out time just to have fun.” Drumm said.

The new board game area, located just outside the Ellis room of the LC, is intended for students to utilize if they need a break. Students can play any of the games in the LC, or they can check them out for up to three days. 

“The board game area is nice because it can be used to help kids destress after tests or quizzes” junior Emily Fleckinstein said.

In addition, the Learning Commons also acquired a number of Oculus Quests headsets, which was only released in May.

“Students can do mostly experience fun things like roller coasters, playing tennis, or fishing,” Drumm said. “Eventually the educational games will be developed as well.”