Not only were students greeted with their beloved lunch space being reduced, but a new bathroom pass system was introduced and changes to the parking lot have been implemented. 

During the COVID restrictions, the area students had to eat lunch extended all the way to the Media Center. This was to allow more room for social distancing, and many students took advantage of the ample space. With the kickoff of  the 2022-23 school year,  the lunch area in the courtyard has been pushed back to the line by Student Services as it was originally. This change has been unfavorable for many students. 

“It’s kinda annoying because there’s too many people around,” said junior Trey Rohee. “There were also more shaded areas with the peppermint line so we didn’t have to sit in the sun.” 

With  less than a foot away from each other outside, students have found themselves scrunched together. Although the Bronco Bistro allows for more seating, it does not make room for the comfort of some students. 

Two juniors, Nimsi Baten and Alina Negrin, both agree.  “Every day, the cafeteria gets SUPER crowded,” Baten said.   “We leave as soon as we are done to get out of there because it’s a mess,”  Negrin added.

As well as a smaller lunch area, clipboards have been introduced to classrooms to be used as bathroom passes. Students are required to take a small clipboard with their building number and teacher name on them to and from the bathroom.  Although it was implemented to eliminate students wandering around campus, many  students and teachers have an issue with this as it can be viewed as unhygienic. Students found without the clipboard may face consequences such as a warning and a possible detention.  

“I understand why we have them,” noted junior Samantha Kasten. “It’s just an inconvenience sometimes and easy to forget about.  It’s also gross to think about how many people have taken it to the bathroom and how many of them probably don’t wash their hands.”

Mr. Rossi, Ceramics 1 and 2 teacher, echoed Kasten’s feelings. “I wish they would make it a little more hygienic but the QR codes didn’t really work. I think it’s good to have a physical pass, but with the way COVID  and all that stuff and germs and everything, it’s a tough situation.”

Another change to the school affects those who decide to park in the parking lot. Instead of your car being towed away, it will now get booted. Mr. Louis, the ninth grade assistant principal and administrator in charge of parking, elaborated on this change. 

“We only boot cars that do not have a valid parking decal permit,” Louis explained. “I decided to boot cars instead of towing because it’s less hassle for the student or parent. For example, if your vehicle is towed and removed from campus, you must travel to Palm Beach Lakes east of I-95 and pay $120 to retrieve your car. But if we boot your vehicle on campus, you pay only $70.”

This adjustment to the parking policy favors students and their parents as it takes less time and money to get their vehicle back. Just make sure you have a valid parking permit, and your car should remain safe.

With a new school year, new changes have been made and students should be aware in order to adjust and have a positive school experience for the remainder of the year.