Due to ongoing construction within the 1200s building on BVH’s campus, several rooms have been relocated. One of them being the Parent Center, also known as the Financial Aid room. With the relocation, it has been a minor inconvenience in exchange for improved access for students and teachers. Throughout the movement within Sept., BVH Community Relations Associate, Maria Gomez sees the numerous benefits and elaborates on the functionality of the Parent Center.
“At the Parent Center, we help individual parents and interview them to see if they need any support in helping their childrens. We encourage kids to go to any after-school tutoring to maintain a better goal to reach a better, more successful grade. Here at the Parent Center, we also have resources that parents might need,” Gomez said.
Gomez explains the basic benefits of the Parent Center and how they help students and parents alike. Since the Parent Center plays an important role in students’ lives, it is important for it to be in a location in which it is easily accessible. Gomez further elaborates on why the Parent Center is important towards BVH students and the significance to changing locations.
“Especially at the beginning of the year, the importance of [parents] filling out the financial aid/lunch application [is] so they [BVH students] can get the benefits. It is more than a lunch application. For example, for kids who are taking their [Advanced Placement (AP) and/or International Baccalaureate (IB)] tests. If they come here [the new location], we are able to help them out before the deadlines,” Gomez said.
Gomez explained the multitude of purposes that the Parent Center serves on campus and how accessibility is important within the BVH community. BVH Support Resource teacher, Michele Godoy, furthers the importance of the Parent Center in regards to important forms such as college application waivers.
“The Parent Center is a location where students can receive help with the financial aid process, including completing meal applications for AP and IB reduced exam costs, [Scholastic Aptitude Tests] SAT and college application waivers. The Parent Center benefits students by providing personalized guidance and resources to help them successfully complete the financial aid process for these in-school services,” Godoy said.
With the financial aid room and construction planning changing the location, Godoy then explains what advantages come with the changes. She highlights how the move makes it easier for BVH students, staff and parents to locate the room. She emphasizes that the new location offers more convenient access, reducing confusion and improving the overall experience for everyone involved.
“Moving the Financial Aid room has made it more accessible to students by placing it in a central location where other student services are also offered. This has increased student awareness of the room and allowed them to more easily seek assistance in financial aid matters,” Godoy said.
Godoy explains the increase in location awareness that comes with the move of the room, benefiting students. Furthermore, many students on campus access the room daily, despite minor adjustments that may have been required, the positives highly outweigh the negatives when it comes to the changes made. She expresses the personal benefits of the move, from a staff member’s perspective.
“Personally, it has streamlined my work because I am now able to work and collaborate more efficiently with other student support staff, as we are all housed in the same general area. This new location allows for quicker communication and better support for students,” Godoy said.
Godoy has had a positive experience with the move herself and has seen the beneficial aspects offered to students. Not only does the change allow for quicker communication, but also allows first-time parents and students to find the room much easier, streamlining most people’s workflows. However, with the changes students may cross the changes with a different perspective. Godoy explains how others may view the change in a negative way.
“I have not noticed any significant negative impacts from the move. However, all changes can come with adjustments. In this case, some students who were used to the previous location might have taken time to adapt to the changes,” Godoy said.
Moreover, other than BVH staff the Parent Center is also open to parents allowing them to have a better chance of locating the classroom. BVH Principal Lee Romero explains his experience speaking with parents about the changes regarding the Parent Center.
“The parents I have spoken to are okay with the temporary move to 404. They understand that construction and demolition of the old building is positive progress for our school. When the new building is completed, BVTV will be relocated to the new building and BVTV’s current location will become the new Parent Center.” Romero said.
Moreover, once the construction in the 1200s is finished, rooms attended less frequently such as auto shops will be moved there, opening up a better location for the Parent Center permanently. Godoy explains why the Parent Center should be easily accessible, as it is beneficial for all students, staff and parents.
“I would love for students to know that the Financial Aid room is not just for seniors or students who think they already qualify for aid. It is a resource for all students to explore different types of funding opportunities, even starting as early as their freshman year. There are a lot of opportunities out there, and the earlier students begin, the more options they will have,” Godoy said.
