Tucked in between the cafeteria and the Point, the 50 year old, overgrown courtyard has given way to a new one that is finally open to students starting today.
The courtyard will become a “beautiful space where our community can gather whether it’s for lunch, a musical performance, or an awards ceremony,” says Principal Dr. Ryan McTague. On a day-to-day basis, it will offer Point tutors and tutees the opportunity to confer outside and offer lunch goers a chance to enjoy fresh air along with their meal.
As an outspoken mourner for the loss of the past courtyard, I am especially excited to regain access to a new one. Our past courtyard triggers many fond memories of my underclassmen years: feeling the sun on my skin while music tickled my ears, my first tentative friendships, and ridiculous games of catch. While the new courtyard may be different in layout, the principle benefits of a courtyard accessible during lunch still remain.
Lunchtime in the cafeteria can be tenuous territory. Many people are creatures of habit and loathe to sit by new people or even in a seat that is different from where they sat on the first day of school. People who enjoy changing seats and company tend to feel confined, especially during full lunch periods where most seats have already been “claimed.” People who may choose to go to the library some days, and sit at lunch during others can likewise run into issues if someone “claims” the seat they previously abandoned to study.
The courtyard limited these issues because there were not individual seats to be claimed. A group sitting in a loose circle can easily accommodate a new addition in a variety of different spots around the circle. The benches were restrictive in comparison. Sitting on one edge of a bench makes it difficult to converse with someone sitting on the opposite end, yet the benches are still more inclusive than the cafeteria tables that have individual seats since they can potentially include an extra person if everyone shifts to one side. Since people from benches often talked with people who sat on the floor, the courtyard maintained an inclusive atmosphere despite the physical constraints of the few available benches.
While the courtyard and its diverse seating possibilities can coax the creation of a vibrantly social community, a courtyard also provides an excellent escape during the school day. The noise, fluorescent lighting, and constant interactions with peers, teachers, and other Niles North staff members can be exhausting, and some people may benefit from using their lunch period to rejuvenate outside in peace and quiet. Even when I have seen the courtyard at its greatest capacity, there were still spots for people to appreciate the sunshine and fresh air in solitude. While it is not dead silent in the courtyard during the fullest lunch periods, the noise level is no where near the roar of the lunchroom.
Upperclassmen can get fresh air during their lunch periods by venturing off campus, but for underclassmen, a courtyard is the only space available to escape and rejuvenate before taking on the rest of their day. However, a courtyard still holds benefits for upperclassmen as well. The courtyard allows upperclassmen to eat outside while still being able to socialize with friends who do not have off-campus as well as to sidestep the concern of returning to the school after the lunch period ends. Also, since the courtyard is attached to the lunchroom, travel time is eliminated, providing students with more time to eat and talk than off-campus students have.
While eating off campus or in the cafeteria are viable options, the addition of courtyard gives students a choice in their eating experience –one with unparalleled benefits in my opinion. Despite the benefits of the courtyard’s space, most people remain inside during rain or shine. While the experience of the courtyard would not be as blissful if it ever became as overcrowded as the cafeteria, I still encourage students to spend at least one lunch period there. I know I will!
