Trays spilling, people yelling, budging in line, and people struggling to get their food in time. All of these things were expected to happen when people first heard that Park High was going to only have one lunch this year. Cole Maxwell, Park High Principal, was an advocate for one lunch period. He acknowledges that the cafeteria has been more crowded and ordered 50 new chairs to help fit more people. He says that the one period lunch has given clubs the chance to meet all together and given students more free time. The thought of all four classes sharing one lunch together does seem pretty overwhelming, but has it been as overwhelming as we assumed? Senior Annabelle Smith thinks that the cafeteria has been more crowded this year and thinks that is a result of the combined lunches.

Going off-campus to eat has always been popular, but having only 30 minutes for lunch made it hard to finish your food and make it back to class in time. This year lunch is 44 minutes long. Senior Isaac Ramirez says he goes out to eat every day and has only been late once. “It’s easier to get back with more time this year.” he said. The longer lunch has proven to be beneficial for students, especially those who go out.

With the cafeteria being more crowded, students found other places to eat lunch, and the pods quickly became a hot spot. No food in the pods has been a rule for a while at PHS due to the comfy chairs being difficult to clean, but this year it has had to be implemented more than ever. Junior Conner Hawthorne started a petition to get food allowed in the pods. He says that the cafeteria is extremely crowded this year and that it is “unfeasible” to have all students eat in the cafeteria. He claims that the pods help disperse the students and make the cafeteria less crowded. Strategies to keep the pods clean that Conner has thought of are, holding students accountable to clean up after themselves and making cleaning supplies easily accessible in the pods. Food in pods does make a mess and there is not enough janitorial staff to clean extra areas. Senior Coen Braham says “I want to keep the pods clean, because its a place where I can be comfortable.” Overall the opinions of students are split, but a compromise may be in sight.