There are plenty of students at Lake Stevens High School; with over 2,000 students, LSHS is classified as a 4A school. With so many students to handle, the school needs many areas for students to eat. Recently the Learning Commons, where some people used to eat, became a no-eating zone. This creates a little confusion among the few students who used to eat there seeking information.
The Learning Commons is located on the second floor of the East Hall. The atmosphere is relaxing and a great place for students to study. Throughout the year the Learning Commons provided a quiet place for students to eat during lunch. The Cafeteria and the Learning Stairs are loud and disturbing for the students who want to eat quietly, making the Learning Commons a good option for some people.
Today, if you walk by the Learning Commons during lunch, you will see a sign that says “Food-Free Zone”, which prohibits eating in the designated area. In contrast to when the LC was full of people eating lunch and socializing, fewer students can be seen in the Learning Commons studying for class. But there are fair reasons behind the Learning Commons changing to a lunch zone to more of a study zone.
According to the Librarian Kit Shanholtzer, there are several reasons why the ban on eating was initiated.
“When [the Learning Commons] was initially designed, it wasn’t planned to be a space where we were supposed to serve lunch,” said Mr. Shanholtzer.
The floor is all carpet and Mr. Shanholtzer has experienced some accidents that happened, ending up not too well.
The Learning Commons also doesn’t have custodians that clean up for the students in the Learning Commons, so Mr. Shanholtzer has to do it himself. Last year around the same time, the Learning Commons was a food-free zone, so “that’s why we made the decision to re-establish it.” Shanholtzer said.
Senior Somaiyah Mounarath used to eat in the Learning Commons at the beginning of the semester.
“I currently sit by the tables near the office, and I’d say I’ve experienced a positive change from this change,” said Mounarath.
Mounarath found it more interactive and ate food better since in the Learning Commons she would be doing homework and eating afterward compared to now she can focus on eating and connecting with her friends.
Sophomore Carter Zyskowski currently spends his time in the Learning Commons. Zyskowski states that the Ban is a little frustrating but it’s nice you can still be there. He doesn’t necessarily agree with this decision.
“But I also understand if they want to keep the area cleaner. It was getting dirty when people were eating,” Zyskowski said.
He has noticed that the Learning Commons has become cleaner than when there were people with lunch coming in.
Although there is some frustration among the students, there are notable benefits that affect the students that are greater than the little inconveniences. Mounarath was able to find a better place to eat and Zyskowski was able to spend lunchtime in a cleaner environment. The decision to ban eating might have caused a bit of confusion, but overall, I believe that this was the right decision.
