All Cardozo students are New Yorkers, so it’s safe to say they’re familiar with Manhattan’s 42nd Street, more commonly known as Times Square. The bustling noise and activity can be quite a shock to anyone who isn’t used to it. The same could be said for Benjamin N. Cardozo High School’s own version of 42nd Street. However, not many students are sure of its exact location within the school.
To clarify, Cardozo’s 42nd Street is the intersection on the first floor between the gymnasium and the cafeteria. This area is notorious for pushing, shoving, and the chaos of stray students along with the yelling of deans. Many students agree that 42nd Street can be a true nightmare.
The “newbies” of Cardozo, the freshmen, have quickly developed strong opinions about this intersection, despite their short time at the school. Unfamiliar with the crowded vibes of high school, some freshmen are taken aback by the high volume of students in the hallways.
Freshman Safiyah Coppin shared her experience of navigating the crowded intersection between classes.
“Yes, I go through there during passing,” she said. “The most crowded areas are probably the lobby in the Annex or where students exit from gym class.”
In contrast, a fellow freshman, Meena Viswanath, has found coping methods. “Yes, 42nd Street is very crowded, but I find my own shortcuts to class.”
Although the school year has just begun, both freshmen are steadily adapting to Cardozo’s bustling environment.
Sophomores, now in their second year at Cardozo, have already formed judgments about the school’s crowded hallways in two years. Siena Lin believes easier routes would benefit students who must run to their next class.
When asked if students wish for a more efficient way to navigate the building, she responded, “Of course! I wish there were more effective and faster ways for students to get around.”
“But, even if there were escalators or more elevators for general use, it would still be time-consuming and crowded.” Siena makes a valid point: with Cardozo’s hallways always packed, even if the school would install more elevators or escalators, most students would get on them, making them less accessible to those who need them.
Sophomore Alana Gani, who passes through 42nd Street about four times a day, can attest to this congestion. The struggle is real for students who must navigate from the Annex basement to the third floor, or make their way from the gym to the main stairway through the chaotic intersection.
Many Cardozo students who are juggling multiple AP classes and extracurricular activities have grown accustomed to the overcrowding. Melania Avedian, a junior in the Gateway program, acknowledged that 42nd Street is indeed too crowded.
“It’s 100% packed. Now, because of the Annex, the area around the entrance has also become extremely congested, with students flowing in both directions in that small hallway,” she explained. “I wish there were less crowded options, but I doubt that’s possible because we have a highly populated school. Some teachers need to understand that, especially when going from the first floor to the third.”
Another Gateway member, Ibrahim Coppin, had a different take. “I have to go through there twice a day, but it really isn’t a big deal. It’s crowded, but you can still move around.”
To gain insight from those overseeing the chaos, teacher and dean Ms. Gomes, shared how it can be to manage the traffic in the hallways.
“Yes, 42nd has always been a very busy intersection. We have students coming from all different places and classes constantly. I talk to the students and help redirect them to their classes,” she explained. Ms. Gomes also acknowledged that there are efforts to find better solutions for navigating the building.
Ms. Gottlieb, the American Sign Language teacher at Cardozo, agreed with students about the overcrowding. “This hallway gets very crowded because people like to congregate in front of the bathrooms. There are clusters of students hanging out, and as a result, no one is moving, leading to even more congestion,” she illustrated.
Ultimately, Cardozo students — whether newcomers or soon-to-be graduates — have experienced the challenges of navigating through 42nd Street. Many do their best to avoid it while others have no choice but to push through, similar to the experience of walking through Times Square in Manhattan. This pressing issue resonates with students and teachers alike, leaving room for potential changes in the future as Cardozo evolves.
