Do you know about the new renovations Columbia Heights High School’s (CHHS) cafeteria went through this school year? They vary from fresh paint to extraordinary murals and a new water station as well! Our school has also gone green with the addition of sorting tables for trash and recyclables. It’s amazing how just a few new improvements can bring a lot of peace and comfort to a room typically known for its commotion.
The cafeteria went through a refresh during the summer of 2023, and many Hylanders have taken notice — especially the full-length photograph of students wrapped on the wall. “It was a nice thing to add,” Isabel Hernandez (12) said. “On the first day of school, my friends and I saw it. and it was nice seeing ourselves up on the mural.”
The renovations to the cafeteria improve our school by keeping it up-to-date through the years to come, which is always a challenge in a building that is several decades home! The space has become more inviting and bright with freshly painted walls that create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The Columbia Heights Public Schools (CHPS) Food Services department has also added new utensil machines that help easily dispense forks and spoons, hassle-free. Along with this, a water station was installed, which offers the students access to clean and refreshing water during their meals, which is essential for keeping everyone hydrated, especially those who prefer to skip the traditional milk option. An exciting new element of the renovations has to be the photo murals that showcase the Hylander spirit of the students! These murals capture the enthusiastic energy of the student body here at CHHS.
The Green Team was also a new addition made this year, the organizer of the program being CHHS Assistant Principal Mr. John Kulick. The Green Team is a group of staff members and students that help out with keeping our cafeteria clean daily. Select student volunteers who help out and monitor the compost bins after each of the three lunchtimes get top priority at the start of lunch, which means you get to go front of the line and at the end help with the sorting bins. You can still sign up to become a helper by just asking Kulick!
“I heard about the Green Team and decided to join,” Gulchin Jafarova (12) said. “After doing this for a bit, I realized how much of an impact what I’m doing to protect the environment can have. It can look like a small step, but that’s how big changes are made.” Some other additions to Food Services that have also benefited students include having “second chance breakfast” in the morning between first and second block, which is located at the concessions stand across from the PAC. It gives the students a chance for a pre-packaged meal if they miss out on the usual breakfast offered before first block to get some food. This addition has also proved quite helpful for students whose appetites don’t kick in right away but wind up in need of a small snack before lunch.
Between the environmental considerations, student need changes and the cafeteria’s newly brightened atmosphere, CHHS has become a lot more accessible and welcoming for our students. Even small new conveniences like the sauce machines that are easy to use and keep our condiments section clean have made life just a little bit easier for staff and students alike. Our volunteer students have also helped out the staff by keeping our cafeteria as sustainable as possible.
Knowing I’m doing something for a better environment makes me feel good,” Jafarova said. “I want people to be happy about what they are doing too. It’s not just sorting your trash — it’s making an impact.”
