What’s that sound?!?

Recently, everybody has been talking about the new bell sounds coming over the PA at the end of each class period.

Why was our old bell sound changed? Why did that one temporary bell sound like an airplane announcement to fasten your seatbelts? Why are so many different sounds playing in a cycle? Wasn’t that the Taco Bell bell? Wait, was that a marching band? And what’s coming next?!?

Well, wonder no more.

A new public address (PA) bell system was installed in the school during the week of May 8. This new system has a feature that allows for over 50 different class-change and dismissal bell sounds to be played, almost all of which have sounded recently as a cue to move from class to class.

The bell options feature a variety of sounds including a few standard bell noises, some short music clips, and supposedly even sounds of people talking (though we’ve yet to hear those).

The week started with only silence from the intercom as work on the system began in the main office where the equipment is located—meaning no announcements and no bell sounds. Then on Tuesday, the day was broken up with a strange new bell. The new bell noise was short and simple, and most compared it to the sound you hear on an airplane before the flight attendant makes an announcement.

However, it didn’t take long for students to tire of the “the captain has turned on the ‘fasten seatbelt’ sign” jokes.

But Wednesday May 10 unleashed chaos by starting a new trend of bell noises: each class period’s bell cycle used a completely different, randomly selected sound.

Students and faculty alike had fun with the auditory surprises for a few days until the current cycle was programmed. As of right now, the same rotation of different bells plays each day (with the “Marine Corps Hymn” ending period 6 lunch a particular favorite). This rotation may continue to play for the last few days of school as more system tests are done, or it could be changed.

Having a system with so many new capabilities means the potential for a few fun options.

Principal Sean Snowden even said that he would consider allowing music to be played between classes.

The logistics of this obviously have not been worked out yet since this is just an idea. But if this is something that you would like to hear happen at Beaver Area High School, then let the front office know what you think!

Until then: Live Más, Semper Fi, and fasten your seatbelt.