How and Why I Will Protest the Cafeteria

The latest issue around the school is the privatization of the school cafeteria.  The true issue isn’t protesting the company, but the rules of the proposed contract.  Under this contract, no other food would be allowed to be sold on campus.  Essentially, the company would have a monopoly on all food in the district.

         The main problem with this is the amount of money that would be lost by clubs.  These clubs would lose most of the money they earn.  The main clubs, which would lose money, are PASF, StuCo, Yearbook Staff, and KQSA.  Every week, PASF sells approximately 60 pizzas.  On each box of pizza, they make approximately $3.  That’s about 180 dollars per week.  This makes about $7,000 per year.  This is from PASF alone.  StuCo makes about the same about of money.  Furthermore, PASF also sells candy each year, which would not be allowed under the new company.  They make about $1,500 dollars per year.  There is also a PASF barbecue which makes about $2,000.  They have another fundraiser also, though I am not sure about their profit on this one.  These are the major fundraiser from these two clubs.  The senior class makes about $29,000 from the coke machines alone.  All together, about $200,000 is expected to be lost.

         Our students should be self dependent, or at least that is what our counselors and parents are pushing.  Currently the students are the ones who sell all of this alleged “junk food,” and this money helps the students.  There is a direct line in a student’s brains saying, “If I buy food here, then I will help StuCo/PASF/KQSA.”  They can see where the money is being used.  If a single company comes in and starts selling all the food in the school, the students are relying on someone else, instead of themselves.

         It is obvious that we need to support our clubs, as they are what make Science Academy the excellent school it is.  Without these clubs, the only thing we would be known for would be having exceedingly well scores on TAAS.  That is not much of a legacy for our classes to leave behind.

         During the week of March 10-14, I ask you to stand with me, and the rest of the school as we boycott not the school cafeteria, but the new school snack bar.  If you normally eat lunch in the cafeteria, then don’t change anything, but if you normally eat lunch at the school store, then do not eat in the cafeteria.  Bring your own lunch, or do not eat at all.  The general consensus of the students will be best expressed this way.  There will be little or no difference between when the school store is open or closed.  I ask you to join in this non-violent method of protest.

Let our voices be accurately heard.