When students came back to school on Monday, May 6th, many were surprised to see that the entire cafeteria had transformed. Different from the dingy dirty lunch room with old, dirty tables, that students were used to, it was no surprise that many students were amazed by the transformation.
Once unenjoyable and boring, the cafeteria has now added various types of seating. But why the sudden change? Where did this come from? How did the school manage to give our lunchroom a fresh coat of paint?
The transformation was all thanks to Mrs. Bohlman, the Assistant Principal of Organization at Cardozo. Although the decision wasn’t hers to make, she was able to give us an explanation on how it happened.
“We were part of a program—the Chancellor and the Mayor started an initiative a few years back saying they wanted to have a cafeteria enhancement experience. That’s what its called, CEE…so the ballot was about 80 schools and we were chosen as one of the 80 to have our cafeteria upgraded,” Mrs. Bohlman said.
Surprisingly, this new cafeteria renovation was actually planned much sooner. Although it officially came to be in early May, ideas were being brewed since the beginning of the year. “I was notified by a contractor in September saying we were picked and we had to set up a meeting. So they came and we usually met with the custodian, myself, the principal and the union representative for teachers,” Mrs. Bohlman added.
Not only that, but Mrs. Bohlman herself had the honor of choosing the furniture used in the renovation. “They pretty much told us that we were going to be getting new tables, a new inside where they actually do the serving for the food as well. We were able to select colors, the type of furniture, and the signs that they had,” she explained.
Of course, with change always comes with opinions. Many students have been talking amongst themselves about the renovations, with even Mrs. Bohlman caught wind of it, sharing, “I really hope the kids continue to care for it and enjoy it. I really do see a difference. It’s a big difference, a different feeling. I don’t know if it’s just me but I think I’ve heard kids talking too. I’ve heard seniors say ‘Why are they doing this now that I’m leaving!’”
Some students have mixed feelings about the new updates, though. “It’s quite crowded and kinda feels suffocating when there are so many people there. But, on the plus side, the chairs are comfortable and cohesive with the school,” stated Priyasha Kala, a junior at Cardozo.
“Chairs are gonna get stolen,” added Evan Chen, another Cardozo junior. It seems that the security and respect for the new furniture is a popular topic of concern too. A few students felt that the chairs may be used in fights, or that the renovations made may be damaged with graffiti. After all, various things have been affected in our school—ranging from wall graffiti, to the damaging of computer mice in the labs.
However, Mrs. Bohlman doesn’t seem to find that to be an issue.
“There’s always that concern because kids sometimes graffiti things and they write on the tables. I’m really hoping they like how it feels, I already feel a difference when I walk in there like I think the kids are happier,” she explained. “So I’m hoping that they take care of it because they don’t want it to be ugly and dirty. I mean, is there a concern? There’s always a concern. The most the kids do is graffiti so hopefully we can clean it up fast enough so it comes off. For the most part I think the kids are pretty respectful.”
Cardozo was extremely lucky to have the opportunity to have so many brand new additions to the school added, with the annex opening in September, and the cafeteria being renovated in May. Many people enjoy these changes, and they overall improve the ambience and feeling of school, making Cardozo more and more enjoyable.
