No more Takis, hot Cheetos

School administration bans snacks outside the cafeteria

 

BY ERICA BROOKS
JHop Times Editor-In-Chief

 

In the 2018-19 school year, students have been visiting each of their classes without their usual daily snacks. Last year when this policy wasn’t in effect, some teachers would let students eat in the classroom for breakfast or even a quick snack. 

This year, John Hopkins Middle School has decided to ban snacks from the hallways and the classrooms. The decision was not found in the student code of conduct but is still in full effect. This decision was also made to keep the campus clean. If faculty observes a student eating in class teachers will tell students to put them away or maybe even confiscate them. Students that refuse will be subject to disciplinary action. 

“They didn’t want outside snacks,” said eighth-grader Johnny Brown. Brown felt as if the school wanted more money to go toward a la carte. A la carte is a miniature version of a convenience store that sells snacks during lunch. 

“Students don’t really like school food,” Brown said. “Students usually like to eat something like chips at lunch.” 

Prices at a la carte range from 25 cents to more than $1. Since students buy chips and cookies from the a la carte, that money goes toward the school. 

A la crate cart gives the enjoyment to still buy chips,” said Ms. Clarkson, eighth-grade assistant principal. Ms. Clarkson informed J. Hop Times reporters that snacks should only be eaten in the cafeteria — this is the designated place where students are permitted to eat. 

Many students feel as if they should be allowed the opportunity to earn snacks back into policy. “Maybe if the students behave more,” said eighth-grader Nahjai Pettis, who attended JHMS last year when the snack policy was more relaxed. 

“Students are usually hungry,” said Brown, who believes students who snack while studying can focus more than if they weren’t hungry. Still, the administration is adamant on the snack ban since most class-rooms have carpet. 

“Snacks can cause messes that students choose not to clean up and could cause rodents,” said Ms. Clarkson. “It was also a decision by the school board and should be included in the student code of conduct.” 

As many students are hoping to get snacks back in the classroom, as of now, they are banned from the hallways and classrooms — only to be eaten in the cafeteria. J. Hop Times staff writer Vondarrial Jones contributed to this report.