The sudden closure of the campus cafeteria has raised concerns over the ongoing issue of excessive trash across school grounds. The cafeteria, a central part of campus for students to hang out and enjoy lunch, was shut down after administrators deemed the cleanliness issue unmanageable and disrespectful, particularly during busy times like lunch breaks and registration.

An interview with Danielle Oliveri the Assistant Principal of Instruction revealed that the mess had been building throughout the school year.

“Every time administrators walked in, there was food and trash everywhere,” Oliveri said. 

“We had repeatedly given students chances to clean up after themselves, but nothing changed,” Oliveri said.

Over the weekend, Oliveri and other administrators witnessed food splattered on walls and floors, making it clear that the situation was escalating and action to stop it was needed.

The breaking point came when admin and janitors reported juice spilled across the floor during registration, preventing them from doing their work. The closure, while drastic, was seen as a necessary response. Oliveri hopes that inconveniencing students by forcing them to find alternative places to eat will prompt them to reflect on their behavior and take better care of the cafeteria in the future.

The problem isn’t just confined to the cafeteria. Trash has been spotted all over campus, pointing to a broader issue of school pride. 

“The amount of trash speaks volumes about how little respect students have for their environment,” Oliveri said.

The closure serves as a wake-up call, and while students may be inconvenienced, the hope is that they will take more responsibility for keeping their spaces clean. Consequences may be given to students responsible for the mess, with the administration stressing that this behavior can no longer be tolerated.