Sound Off: Campus too crowded with one lunch?

Question: More than two weeks into one lunch, what are your thoughts on the new schedule?

Rebecca Navarro, student reporter

One lunch has both its positives and negatives. Although I am grateful to have lunch with all my friends and not worry about being separated when the new term comes, I believe issues have arisen from the new schedule. The lunch lines have never been longer for both school food and off-campus. Rushing out to the Taco Bell line is now my priority as students all want to reach Pizza Guy’s, Iron Horse, or any of the surrounding food places first. As someone who does not drive yet, I am glad I don’t have to worry about rushing out of the parking lot as I imagine the traffic and cramming is even greater there. One lunch is something I have adjusted alright to; it is odd seeing everyone cram into available classrooms (me personally this being Eavenson’s) to have a place to sit as the cafeteria, halls, and quad are booming with students at every corner.

Joseph Atalig, student reporter

The one lunch situation is a big problem to me because it is way to populated with nowhere to sit. I can never find a place to sit at lunch and it always takes 5 minutes to get my food. Lots of kids are cutting in line and pushing kids out of the way; it is causing fights. Lots of kids who are tired and not in the mood just want to get their food but when four people cut in front of them, it can start an argument and problems with other students. Also, when it’s hot outside or when it rains everyone wants to go inside but there isn't any space for students to sit and fit in such a small cafeteria. In my opinion, two lunches were better because it stopped fights, and no one was arguing over the lunch line and complaining about not being about to sit somewhere.

Keira McCulley, student reporter

My thoughts on the one lunch are mixed. One good thing about one lunch is that you automatically have lunch with all your friends. But one bad thing I could say is that everywhere is packed because there are so many students. It takes almost 30 minutes to receive your food because of how many people are ordering. I say that if they are going to continue to give us one lunch, they should make it longer so it's easier to eat, because not every teacher allows food in their classroom.

RubyAnne Noonkester, student reporter

Having one lunch definitely has its benefits and downsides. It’s nice to always know that your friends will have the same lunch as you. With two lunches, if you didn’t have a huge friend group there was the possibility of not having anyone to eat lunch with, but now everyone has the same lunch. On the other hand, one lunch is extremely crowed and the lines to get lunch take an ungodly amount of time. Once you get your food, you have to find somewhere to eat. Even though the school added more tables it doesn't compute with the number of kids that need a seat.

Rocco Rattaro, student reporter

I am not a fan of the one lunch. I really have not enjoyed it. It is very busy and packed everywhere during this time. We only have 30 minutes of lunch, and it is hard to get around. The student store is busy, and the line extends outside of the store. There are crowds everywhere you go — the library, the cafeteria, off campus. When going off campus, there is barely enough time to get food and eat with one lunch. With one lunch, I’d almost be late to class if I went lunch off campus. There is really no benefit of having one lunch. The only thing that I like about this is that I get to see more of my friends.

Leonardo Munguia, student reporter

One lunch is causing a lot of problems for students and staff. I think that having one lunch makes the campus too crowded and that makes it harder for students to go off campus to get lunch in only 30 minutes. Not only is going off campus harder, but most teachers also do not even allow their students to eat in class. If lunch was longer, it would be better for students to actually eat and have time to get to class, and overall make it easier for staff and students.

Addison Jackson, student reporter

The adjustment to one lunch this year has changed how many students navigate the campus and presents a set of challenges, such as the long lunch lines. and crowed hallways, which make it harder to get where you need to go. Going off campus can also be affected by the surplus of students, increasing traffic and time it takes to get food and come back. I expect one lunch to increase the number of student tardies due to the time it takes to get lunch either off campus or simply from the cafeteria. However, having one lunch allows students to spend time with their friends instead of potentially being restricted by different schedules. This makes for a happier school day and more opportunities for socialization.

Simar Mann, student reporter

Lunchtime has become both hectic and crowded now that we have one of the biggest campuses in the district. Our student body has exponentially increased this year and therefore having one lunch has made it nearly impossible to get lunch and eat in time. Students are returning to class minutes late and feel rushed due to the long, extensive lunch lines. Off campus, the situation is even worse. Many students are experiencing difficulty just using the drive thru to get food and are getting stuck in traffic. Although it has its positives, such as giving students the chance to spend lunch with all their friends and socialize, it has also made finding a place to sit very difficult. I will often find no seats available in the cafeteria and quad, and occasionally there are no seats by the new gym either. If students don’t even have the chance to sit somewhere and finish their lunch in time, then hasn’t only having one lunch caused more problems than its solved?

Salvador Paniagua, student reporter

My thoughts on the one lunch schedule are more 30/70. I dislike it more than I like it. I like how I have lunch with all my friends and even my sister, but at the same time, that means I have lunch with everyone. I haven’t been off campus yet, but I just know that all the lines at different food spots are packed. And that’s before the off-campus passes are out for the sophomores. I’ve always liked first lunch schedule better, and with one lunch schedule everyone is on one lunch schedule. The foot traffic on campus during lunch is excessive. There’s always a large group of people filling up the hall, cafeteria, and quad. There’s also barely anywhere to sit, especially if you want to be in the shade. Just imagine how it’ll be like once it starts raining. Everyone is going to be crowding up the hall and cafeteria even more. That’s where eating lunch in classrooms comes in handy though.