Why Students Should be Able to Eat in Courtyard

By: Lilia Holden

Last year, kids were free to eat anywhere in the cafeteria they pleased, along with the courtyard. But now that privilege has been taken. I believe that was the wrong choice. 

Banning eating lunch in the courtyard is unnecessary and overly controlling of students. 

In the cafeteria during lunch, it’s extremely crowded and hectic. Friend groups that are vastly different have to share tables. Adults like to hope this leads to more unexpected friendships, but really shared tables cause more arguments and a tense environment. Also, there’s lots of kids who don’t like eating in loud, crowded places. It’s unfair to push them like that when it's perfectly possible to get more tables so you can eat alone without taking up 7 other seats.  

Because of how awkward lunch has become, more kids are taking advantage of the ‘cellphones only at lunch’ rule, as a way of escapism. Adults like to blame this as just teenage phone addiction, but trust it was not as common to see entire tables of kids on their phone last year as it is now. 

There’s no recess in middle school–obviously. So, the more opportunities to go outside the better. Eating outside is fun but also healthy for you. 

The reason why the courtyard was closed for eating is because people were abusing that privilege. Too many kids weren’t picking up after their trash, and it became such a problem that it got out of hand. But there are ways the school could have prevented this.

By providing garbage cans not only by the entrance doors but also the back of the courtyard where a lot of garbage was, it would be easier for students to clean up. Having an adult supervising the courtyard (but not hovering) to remind kids to stay on top of the clean up would also help. I understand that our school is somewhat understaffed, it could be difficult to have someone supervise the entire lunch, so just having them show up by the end of lunch would work out the best. Making cleaning up a bigger reward would maybe inspire kids to not leave a mess after eating. Having reminders regularly on announcements that eating outside is a privilege that can be taken away would ensure people don't abuse it. 

With these solutions, both the students and staff will be happier. The courtyard is a big appeal for students when choosing Cal Young as their school, so why lock it away?