OUR CAMPUS

And Respect Our Second Home

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When items requires work. campus students simply ensure the providers. the the clean argue and school, it is equally important that students are responsible and do their part to clean up after themselves. Most students do not realize or see the consequences that can come from not respecting the campus. The school belongs to the students as much as it belongs to the faculty. When students disrespect their schools, it can potentially hurt those around them who are ultimately putting in effort to keep the campus clean. If it looks like students do not care about the appearance of the school, it reflects poorly on them and the numerous people who visit the campus daily.

“A really big challenge the last two years has been the trash on the campus,” Eagen said. “With about 800 kids eating outside, the excessive trash is a lot to overcome. Some of the trash is due to wrappers blowing away in the wind. However, a good portion is students just not picking up after themselves. I know they sometimes get distracted and forget. Unfortunately, the number one response I get when I ask them to pick something up is ‘that’s not mine.’”

A school environment should look like a healthy and safe place for everyone to enjoy. When the campus is trashed with unnecessary items and materials, students are less likely to feel comfortable and visitors are more likely to not return. Leaving litter around the campus can bring the quality of life within the school down.

Having a campus filled with clutter can have negative results on learning and education. If students take pride in their school and the campus, the environment automatically becomes a more safe and comfortable place for not only other students, but faculty and visitors as well.

“My goal is to have the kids take pride in their campus and help keep the campus clean,” Eagen said. “If we could get the majority of the students to be in the habit of picking up their own trash, as well as more than one item, the campus would look great again.”

Having respect is one of the most important, fundamental aspects for the development of a healthy and green school environment. With the amount of work, time and effort put into maintaining the school campus, it is crucial that students acknowledge how important it is to respect the Maclay campus and everything around them. Most students do not understand that the campus isn’t magically well-kept every day, so taking more initiatives and starting new endeavors is a great way to show respect for fellow students, staff and the school itself. Saying something as simple as “thank you” to the custodial or maintenance crew, or taking 10 seconds to pick up a piece of trash, can go a significantly long way towards benefiting Maclay and other schools.