As of Monday, October 18th, 7th and 8th grade students’ bookstore time has increased. The Bookstore is still open during the mornings; however, 7th and 8th grade students now have designated days during the week where they can go during recess on Monday–Thursday. Each gender and grade received individual days. In the bookstore, students are able to purchase snacks, drinks, school supplies, and hygiene products. However, 6th grade has not been included in the new rule changes. 

Last year the bookstore staff was constantly hard at work delivering supplies around the campus because of Covid-19 creating limited access to the Bookstore. “Last year the Middle School couldn’t come in at all . . . the Lower School, we had to send everything down to them,” says Campus Store Manager Darcy Taylor. “Parents couldn’t come in . . . but this year we’re back in full force.” 

Now that things are returning to normal, the bookstore staff is glad to welcome students back. “We’re happy to have them as long as everybody’s well behaved,” explains Taylor. “We’re happy to have you guys stop by during the day.” 

Students are happy to have the added time, but some feel that the time is still not enough. “I think it’s cool that we have a designated time and stuff,” explains 7th grader Keya Petal, “but I kind of don’t like that we can’t go after school because what if we need a snack because you have something to do or you’re hungry or thirsty. But I do like that it won’t be that long of a line.”

The staff leadership team is not ignoring the fact that students with extracurricular activities need to eat. “Yes, I think students who are here for any extracurricular activity whether it’s the play, or sports, or even study hall should have access to the bookstore,” explains Dean of Students Vielka Reina.  “I can confidently say that everybody on leadership—so that’s me, Mr. Dupriest, Mrs. Little, and Ms. Morton—all agree that students should have access after school. What we’re trying to figure out right now is how do we allow that without having kids who are going in carpool home not go to the bookstore. It’s not a way to punish them, it’s that the carpool line won’t move if they’re in line behind ten people and they’re waiting, so that’s our biggest hiccup.” 

Echoing complaints of students and other faculty members, Reina agrees that recess is not enough time for students to visit the bookstore. “No . . . to be honest . . . there’s almost a hundred 8th grade girls, let’s say not all of them go but 40 percent that’s 40 people in line,” says Reina. “I don’t think that’s enough time . . . we just don’t know when else because you don’t have enough time between classes—then the lunch period we couldn’t allow it because people were then not eating lunch and then eating a pack of Oreos which is not healthy.”

While this new time slot to visit the bookstore is better than nothing according to most students, the faculty hears our cries and are working to get us more time.