To prevent the destruction of student artwork and to help tomaintain a calming ambiance in which sudents can fully appreciate it, the Schreiber administrators began enforcing a new policy this year, prohibiting all students from eating lunch in the atrium.
However, this policy contradicts its original intent. If students cannot eat their lunch in the atrium, they will not be able to fully appreciate the new artwork.
Last year, the school proposed to create art display cases in order to house and protect student artwork. The school hoped to increase the visibility of student artwork.
However, the school’s claim to creating a “win/ win” situation fell short.
Students are not allowed to eat lunch in the atrium despite such alterations.
Last year, many different students enjoyed spending their lunch in the atrium.
Less crowded than the cafeteria and the commons; the atruim was a perfect place for them to enjoy their lunch.
Many of these students are frustrated that they are no longer allowed to eat lunch in their favorite spot.
“Students who prefer to eat or spend their off periods in the atrium should have the option to sit there,” said junior Ilana Zweig. “If the main concern is to prevent any harm to the artwork, then the display cases would be the solution to any possible damage.”
Moreover, the effects of this decision have stirred a negative response from the student body.
Many have become frustrated with the school’s changing policies.
The need for proper lunch time seating became a growing concern among students.
The difficulties experienced by the students in attempting to find a place to sit down have been increasing over the course of this year.
“I think it’s unfair to keep limiting where we eat,” said junior Paige Torres.
In addition, the benches outside barely hold forty kids. Once they are full, the students have no where to go.
Some students resort to sitting on the grass or on the steps in front of the main enterence.
However, these students are often confronted by frustrated and overworked security guards who chase them off the steps.
As the climate continues to grow colder, fewer and fewer students will brave the cold to eat at the tables outside.
Consequently, the number of students remaining indoors for lunch will increase. If the problems with the overcrowding in the cafeteria and the commons is not an issue already, it will inevitably grow worse with the winter weather.
These problems will make it even more difficult for the students to obtain a comfortable and inviting place to sit for lunch.
The result, more and more students will be seen wandering the hallways, causing ruckess and disrupting classes that are in session.
“Right now everyone is really happy sitting outside so the atrium doesn’t really matter,” said senior Sabrina Brennan. “But, everyone’s going to come in during the winter. There simply will not be enough places for students to eat during this season.”