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For juniors and seniors, you might remember back before the pandemic to what lunch was usually like at school. It was everyone gathering in either cafeteria, typically 4-6 people per table. Lunch lines would stretch across the whole lunchroom for around the first 15 minutes of lunch. The hallways and outside seemed forbidden as underclassmen during lunch. But now? It wouldn’t be surprising if outside lunch is the new norm for 9-10th graders, even after the pandemic ends.
In these last warm fall days in early November, students are right back outside during lunches to enjoy these last stretches of mid 60s weather. Earlier this month, Mrs. Remensky announced to the high school students that when the cold weather fully approaches, the only places students should be eating are in the cafes, the gyms, and the lobby, nowhere else. Â
Due to early release, most seniors don’t think about the high school building and lunch. Even if they do stay until after lunch, it’s really likely someone’s planning a quick run to Sheetz before our next class. But for the other grades, outside lunch has been the preferred choice since day 1 of this school year. Some students sit at the picnic tables under the trees by the high school entrance, others sit down and lay back across the curb, and also others stay in the designated tables placed outside specifically for lunches.
The steadiness of cooperation from students to eat in the designated areas during lunchtime is rather surprising to me. I have heard a lot of negative comments on COVID rules and changes, such as mask enforcement for the pandemic, but eating restrictions don’t seem to be much of an issue. However, when the weather forces students to migrate back indoors, a crowding issue may arise – Outside, there are typically groups huddled around one table, generally 6+. I suspect the two-person per table limit that started August 2020 is going to be broken by several students.Â
During my freshman and sophomore years – pre-COVID – I remember the constant clutter of the lunchroom. It was as though tables would merge together because there were so many people sitting at or around any given table. Yet, it was a time that I had looked forward to. Nobody had an early release at the time, so it was a time when everyone in the grade would get together, and I was able to catch up with all of my friends at once. I believe that the option to sit outside should still be available post-pandemic. It is always beneficial for students to get a break from being in school during the school day, especially with the numbers of students constantly growing, the crowding in the cafeterias would be horrendous post-pandemic. The breath of fresh air would not only be good for the students to get a mental break, but also align with the space needed for students.
Once the CDC lifts all COVID restrictions, I believe that most underclassmen will still look forward to sitting outside during their lunches.
This is a good change.
Having that break from the constant noise and clutter of school is good mentally, and may even improve students’ focus when they re-enter the school after lunches.
It may be a smaller amount of students who sit outdoors, but either way, memories of the calming atmosphere and the chaotically chasing after trays and wrappers that are blown around by the wind will be something that is forever remembered from the pandemic times.
I agree with this opinion because I feel like before covid, lunch was way worse without being abkle to sit outside and get fresh air. Also the lines used to take forever and sometimes I wouldn’t get my food till the end of lunch so I agree that sitting outside should be a new norm, to give kids the feeling of freedom and to help out the school.
I really like how you balanced the pros and cons of this article. I also like how you included a variety of different photos trying to capture what we are dealing with. As being in 9th grade, I really loved sitting outside. It felt nice, having not only a break from my mask but also to sit outside instead of in a school!
I agree with you. I am in 9th grade and I love eating outside with my friends because we can actually sit close enough to each other to hear what we are saying to each other. I think we will continue to do this after the pandemic if we have the chance.
I agree that many people will still choose to sit outside even after the pandemic. I liked all of the photos you included, especially the two that compared the people eating in the gym, to the people outside. Great article!
I agree because eating outside is nice and no one likes sitting inside 2 per table.
I really like this article. I can relate to this because I never thought to sit outside, but I sat outside mostly everyday this year. Great article!
I definitely agree that students should be allowed to eat outdoors post-COVID– I’ve been sitting outside at a picnic table with my friends every other lunch period all year, and it’s so much nicer than a cramped cafeteria! I’m in 9th grade currently, so I didn’t even realize that sitting outside wasn’t an option before 2020. With the increase in students sitting outside, I wonder if the school would consider focusing some of the remodeling efforts on outdoor green spaces?
The green spaces would be a very cool idea, hopefully they consider something like that!!
This is written really well! I really like that you wrote an article on this topic. I didn’t think as a freshman that I would be sitting outside for lunch, but it’s definitely is better than being put in a gym to eat. I think the fresh air is important, especially after a stressful morning.
Thank you!! I agree, it is nice to have that mental break!
I completely agree with this. Sitting outside with my friends was my favorite part of the day.
I agree that eating outside should become a norm for Avonworth. Outside lets everyone have fun being around one another instead of having to sit inside. I hope that they keep up with this and let everyone do it even after the CDC lifts its restrictions. Great article!
Thank you! I think it would be beneficial to keep too, especially since you guys have already had the chance to adapt to it
I agree with this opinion because it helps me recharge from all the noise and mayhem as well as getting me ready for the rest of the day.
I agree with this. I like sitting outside. It is less crowded out there, and it’s not as chaotic as the cafeteria. I also agree with the opinion that the 2 person table limit will be broken. Sitting outside also allows people to get fresh air during the day. I think this is written very well!
I really agree with this article. It seems that the only good thing that came out of the pandemic was eating lunches outside and getting the break from the indoors.