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Here we are again with the common area discussion, however this time around we’ll be talking about the staff's view on the common areas and their usage. I will be interviewing the staff of Roosevelt High School instead of the students. The questions will be similar and instead of seeing this as the student I am, I will be putting my teacher glasses on and looking at this discussion through a teacher lens.
As mentioned in the last article written about the common areas, whenever student’s attempted to use the areas they would be told to use the library area or escorted/ told to head back to class. As a student you get frustrated and annoyed at this response from the staff, but have we ever thought to ask why they tell us that? I’ve interviewed Dr Shepherd aka one of our vice principals and here's a few things he said “we’ve made a campaign to keep the command cleared typically after lunch, but also throughout the day as well.” It seems like one of the many goals for keeping the students out of the common areas is to get them into the habit of being in classes instead of skipping them.
We seem to have a decent understanding as to why they tell us what they do, however do we know how this affects the school librarian and her respected area? Let's find out what our favorite librarian has to say on the subject. I’ve asked Ms Graham a few questions, one being on how or if students being told to go to the library affects her work in any way. Her response was “At the beginning of the year it was made clear that this would be a part of my work, and I do like having students in my library.” Ms Graham further says that she does indeed love a lively area versus a too quiet and hushed area, however she doesn’t want students to feel as if they have to be there.
There is a clear goal with our staff and the halls/ common areas, yet we aren’t completely made aware of what that goal is. One of the staff members said the goal is to just keep the halls/ common areas cleared, another member said it was to maintain or encourage students to be in their classes. For our last but certainly not least staff member interview we have is our beloved photography teacher Mr Flye. I’ve asked Mr Flye what the “history” behind the flex/common spaces are, including our oratorium and here’s what he said “ the original intention of the flex spaces have a lot to do with the idea from the architects that they could be flexible breakout spaces for students.” If the reason for the common areas was to have spaces for the students then that leaves us with the remaining question, why can’t students use them if they have permission to?
Seeing as this doesn’t just affect the student but the staff as well, maybe next time a situation where a student is in the common area we should all just stop for a second and think about the other point of view, student and/ or teacher. We as students must be patient and understanding of the staff members because they can’t always tell who’s a senior with a free period or not.
By Audrieauna Brown
Roosevelt High School
Published April 19, 2023
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