Bridge furniture removed

6 | news Administration removes bridge furniture dissolving popular hotspot

Poppy Harrington ’25 Staff Writer

Staples administration permanently removed the bridge furniture and temporarily shut down the bathrooms next door in late November due to the misuse of furniture, loud noise levels and a lack of cleanliness. e "bridge," which overlooks the school's main entrance and is located between the social studies and English hallways, was previously a well-liked gathering place. Students used it during after-school hours, free periods and passing times, but the area is now quiet and not the lively gathering place it once was. According to Class of ’23 Assistant Principal James Farnen, several boys dragged every piece of furniture from the bridge, including the heavy walking bikes, into the bathroom.

“It was

the most “disrespectful thing in my 22 years here,” Farnen said. “After watching our custodial sta work really hard, in not only our cafeteria, but to make the [entire] building look great, to go up at the end of their shift and lug all of that equipment out was disheartening to watch.”

Class of ’25 Assistant Principal Patrick Micinilio further explained that the disruptions and the messes left were the two main factors in decding to remove the furniture. “We had numerous complaints about the noise not only from classroom teachers, but the bridge overhangs the main lobby, which is the front entrance to all visitors coming in Staples High School,” Micinilio said. “Noise [was] number one; food cleanliness [was] probably number two.” An anonymous teacher who has a duty on the bridge explained that they witnessed students who were abusing the privilege of having furniture. “It was certainly a high volume area of the building. Students would eat up there and not throw out their trash,” the teacher said. “Without the furniture there, I de nitely noticed that it is more quiet up there and less of a popular destination for students with a free period.” After the removal, students who previously lounged on the bridge are now forced to explore other spots around the school. "During my free period, I used to always sit on the couches at the bridge with my friends, but now I sit in the library, which actually helps me be more productive,” Kathyrn Hannon ’25 said. “ e bridge was usually dirty with food and wrappers, so maybe it’s for the best.”

After watching our custodial staff work really hard, to go up at the end of their shift and lug all of that equipment out was disheartening to watch.” - James Farnen Assistant Principal

ON THE BRIDGE Staples students lounge on the