With its gorgeous view of the back of neighboring Wall High School’s track and several varieties of itchy green grass, the backyard of Communications High School (CHS) is a prime locale for all things outdoorsy. Whether engaging in a fierce game of four square or posing in front of the tree for a picture, the back patio and surrounding grassy area have everything one could want.
Most can agree that a breath of fresh air is a necessity once in a while. Especially in the springtime, as the temperature rises and the air rapidly approaches “picnic weather,” an increasing number of CHS students turn to the lawn for a way to enjoy their lunch period.
However, as more kids flock to the great outdoors, the issue of limited seating has become a hot-button topic.
According to the Ecohappiness Project, there are plenty of benefits to eating outside. Sunlight and fresh air are both features proven to reduce stress and anxiety. However, the tables outside only allows for about 12 or so students to sit and eat their lunch comfortably at a table.
Senior Chloe Scardino of Wall, a huge proponent of nature and the outdoors, didn’t hesitate to echo these sentiments.
“I feel like outdoor seating is really important,” Scardino said. “Having such a long free period, if people don’t have anything going on, I think it’s good to encourage them to be outside. It’s good for your mental health.”
As the weather improves and more students start to move outdoors, many prospective outdoor diners must resort to sitting on the ground, with all other seating being taken. Sophomore Mia Skrocki of Manasquan is one of the many who have recently struggled to seize the opportunity to enjoy a meal in this temperate weather.
“I think that we should totally have more outdoor seating,” Skrocki said. “When the weather gets warmer, people just want to go outside.”
Though students and teachers are generally in favor of outdoor feasting, there are plenty of factors that prohibit the expansion of additional seating. Principal Emily Bonilla, despite agreeing that more outdoor seating is crucial, expressed the brutal truth: there simply isn’t room in the budget.
“There’s a lot of misconceptions about the budget and how it works,” Bonilla said. “I have to weigh out what the most important project is. Higher priority is the stage. Higher priority is getting rid of those heavy cafeteria chairs that take at least two hours to set up. So yes, I like the outside. I just don’t know where it fits in.”
Although increased outdoor seating is desirable, a variety of monetary and logistical limits restrict the administration’s options. Since the extra seating may only be used two or three months per year, in the end, it’s just impractical. Another potential issue is that CHS’s outdoor area doesn’t belong to the school—it’s owned by Wall High School.
Although outdoor seating benefits the school community, it would be difficult for CHS to invest in its expansion. Thankfully, the nature-loving students might just already be satisfied with the few tables the school has, as long as they are outside. “I love sitting outdoors,” Scardino said. “Even if all the benches are taken, I’m more than happy to just sit in the grass under the cherry blossom tree.”
