This editorial represents the unanimous opinion of all 15 Outlook editors.
After brunch and lunch, it is common to see wrappers and even full containers of uneaten food and drinks scattered across the hallways and Center Court, which create tripping hazards and easy targets for hungry seagulls and vermin. Every day, in addition to numerous other responsibilities, the facilities staff have to clean up after students.
Leadership has made appropriate efforts toward mitigating the abundance of trash on campus, such as the December CARES presentation that addressed the proper disposal of trash. ATV News also had a segment raising awareness of the food litter issue. However, those actions are not enough. Litter continues to be prevalent on our campus. Hence, the editors of The Aragon Outlook believe that Leadership should add a commission dedicated specifically to the environment so issues like littering can be addressed.
Having more constant reminders to take care of our campus, whether through presentations or otherwise, would help the student body stay on track and think about their environmental impact.
Until this year, Green Team was a Leadership commission that addressed environmental concerns and issues like littering. Members of the commission organized events such as a school thrift store once or twice a year and regularly presented to classes about properly disposing trash in collaboration with Advanced Placement Environmental Science students. The team was discontinued this school year to accommodate the new cultural commission.
Having a Leadership commission that raises environmental awareness to create a more mindful community provides long-lasting benefits for the Aragon community. Not only are students reminded of steps and measures they should take to reduce their trash, but a dedicated commission pushes both students and faculty to be more cognizant of their environmental footprint. Small initiatives like increasing access to recycling and compost bins in addition to trash cans, labeling trash bins and alternating Green Team presentations and CARES lessons each week could prove to have substantial benefits regarding the trash issue. Having more constant reminders to take care of our campus, whether through presentations or otherwise, would help the student body stay on track and think about their environmental impact.
If students can prove to the Aragon administration that they are capable of cleaning up after themselves, the idea of eating in the hallways may be considered.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, students were allowed to eat in both classrooms and the hallway. Now that masks are optional on campus, the biggest concern administration has about students eating in the halls is not the spread of COVID, but how food leftovers can attract vermin. If students can prove to the Aragon administration that they are capable of cleaning up after themselves, the idea of eating in the hallways may be considered. In other words, if students clean up after themselves, it not only benefits the school’s landscape and environment, but can also build enough trust between the administration and students so such privileges can be given back. However, there is still much work to be done. Creating an impactful Green Team commission can help guide the Aragon community in a more environmentally-friendly direction. Faculty and students deserve to work and interact with each other on a welcoming and clean campus.
