At the start of the 2023-2024 school year, students expected the freedom to roam around the courtyard during lunch. However, students were faced with a courtyard restriction, where the only options to gather were the cafeteria, gym, or patio. In previous years, students used lunch time to walk around the courtyard with friends or sat freely at the benches provided. Students believed the courtyard being off limits is unreasonable, but many wondered why?

     Administration is aware that in our near future the population of SCHS will increase. Rezoning the district will cause more students to attend in the upcoming school year. Ms. Myers' explained, "this year alone, the population is over 2,000 students, making it hard to keep track of whose who and where everyone should be". More students also means more noise, especially for the classrooms surrounding the perimeter of the courtyard. The multitude of problems resorted to the overall decision restricting the courtyard completely. As well as other changes such as, two lunches.

      However, this year, given the restriction, many questioned, how events like club rush or Hispanic Heritage activities would be permitted in the same restricted area. Ms. Myers' addressed how noise problems can affect the classrooms near the courtyard, and how teachers are "informed ahead of the events to prepare class based on the distractions occurring."

     Luckily, admin does not mind working with students for other options or solutions and are willing to work with the student government committees on the courtyard situation. Overall, administration empathizes for those affected, but there’s precautions that need to be followed to ensure the safety of students and minimize distractions during instructional hours.

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