It’s time for Mincha, so Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer” is playing over the PA system, prompting Student Activities Director Raizie Weissman and sophomore Eric Lunzer to start dancing in the Beit Midrash as students begin to come in.

After years of bells that could hardly be heard and never seemed to ring on time, Shalhevet’s school-wide communication system received a major upgrade over the summer, and whatever the administration wants students to know can now be heard loud and clear.

“It’s huge,” said Mr. Danovitch. In previous years, he said, teachers might have had to run through the hall to gather students for meetings. “Now, you can get on the PA and say ‘Attention students, there’s a drama, Boiling Point… meeting.’  We don’t have to depend on messengers.”The new system also rings a four-note descending arpeggio 10 minutes into every class period.

Students are now able to request other songs on Edline, and in the first week in September, Mr. Yossie Frankel lowered the volume, by request of Acting General Studies Principal Roy Danovitch.

During the first weeks of school, there were plenty of complaints, many of them incorrectly directed at Mr. Yossie Frankel, who aside from teaching ninth-grade science is the school’s Director of Technology.

Mr. Frankel said he has nothing to do with controlling either the volume or songs that play over the PA, but makes an adjustment when one of the principals tells him to.

“I just do what I’m told,” said Mr. Frankel. Mr. Danovitch said that he made the request to turn down the volume in response to comments by senior Rachel Lester and History Department Chair Dr. Michael Yoss.

“Rachel Lester told me it was becoming loud and disruptive – Dr. Yoss accentuated that point – so I asked him to turn it down,” Mr. Danovitch said.

The new PA system was installed in August, when more than 20 speakers attached near ceilings throughout the school. The microphone for announcements is located in the office of Facilities Director Eli Schiff, and the PA is used for class bells, announcements.

It also plays music at various times of the day is played, apparently to get students in the mood for davening. At other breaks, songs vary from day to day, and have included Matisyahu’s “One Day” and Rebecca Black’s “It’s Friday” during lunch, and “Hit the Road, Jack” when the dismissal bell rings at 4:45.

“Some people sing to it at the end of the day – I do,” said senior Laura Melamed.

In the first weeks of school, complaints were heard regarding the type of music played as well as the volume. Teachers would pause in class to avoid speaking over the 10-minute late bell on the PA.

That led The Boiling Point to set up an online poll September 8 to give a voice and statistical profile to students’ opinions.  Fifty-three people responded to the question, “What are your feelings towards the new PA system at school? (Check all that apply)”

There were seven choices, and readers could check as many answers as they wanted. “Relax on the volume! Starbucks doesn’t need to know Mincha’s starting,” won with 28 votes or 44 percent of respondents, while  “Add more speakers! Turn up the tunage! We need more PA!” was last with 8 votes, or 13 percent.

“It’s just too loud and a little repetitive,” said junior Ari Wachtenheim. But that was before the volume was turned down.

Thirty-eight percent– 24 people who answered the poll – disliked the older music being played, mostly a mix of Motown and ‘80s hits, and wanted more modern songs.

“It’s kinda fun to hear the music when you’re leaving school,” junior Max Lipner said. “I don’t know why they choose that song [Hit the Road Jack] though.”

Another 25 percent of respondents said they just wanted it turned off.

Both Mr. Danovitch and Mr. Frankel said they weren’t aware of the poll, but said that Rabbi Leubitz and Rabbi Segal had been choosing the songs so far. There’s a song request form on Edline, and senior Leeor Zahavi requested Israeli music to be played during lunch on her birthday.

Mr. Frankel said he was wary of choosing the songs himself because of his “eclectic” taste in music.

“I was a backstage brat at rock concerts,” Mr. Frankel said, adding that he’s a fan of the Moshav band.