The Student News Site of Menlo School

The Coat of Arms

The Student News Site of Menlo School

The Coat of Arms

The Student News Site of Menlo School

The Coat of Arms

Advocacy group clean-up of cafeteria, quad implemented

Advocacy+group+clean-up+of+cafeteria%2C+quad+implemented

Dean of Students Tony Lapolla recently announced the implementation of mandatory cafeteria and quad clean-up. Staff photo: Clara Guthrie 

By Clara Guthrie

After the quad and new cafeteria were repeatedly left a mess, the administration decided to implement mandatory quad and cafeteria clean-up, organized by advocacy. Switching each week, one advocacy will be assigned to pick up trash on the quad before class each morning and one advocacy will be expected to clean up the cafeteria each lunch period.

The administration decided this was a necessary move after observing trash and dirty dishes repeatedly left behind throughout our campus and new facilities. “I have been watching this issue for several months, and on any given day five to 10 tables were left with assorted cups, silverware, plates, napkins. Additionally, the quad had similar items left behind,” Dean of Students Tony Lapolla said.

Some students are in agreement with this new requirement, seeing it as an opportunity to give back to the campus as a whole. “I think it’s a great way to make people realize what privilege they have. A lot of kids don’t even realize how great this cafeteria is and […] I think by making kids clean up it’ll make them value the cafeteria more,” junior Natasha Walia said.

On the other hand, some students take minor issue with this mandatory clean-up, feeling as though the entire school is being punished for only a few people’s disrespect. “I would say that it’s important to keep the cafeteria and our quad free of leftover food and trash; however, I think this should not be done during our time for [lunch]. […] This new idea isn’t quite right,” senior Will Crandall said.

Lapolla hopes this new clean-up initiative is welcomed with open-mindedness and that the student body will eventually view it as a way to contribute to the school. “I realize that there are some that will view this action as a form of punishment [that] relieves individuals from personal responsibility […]. I hope [students] do not see this action as punitive, but as a way of giving back to a school that we all […] respect and hold so dearly,” Lapolla said.

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