South Junior High School

I walked into a junior high school for the first time in more than 30 years at the behest of a young friend who is a student at South. I was there to attend a charity dodge ball event, that included a pasta dinner. The grounds at South Junior High are well mantained. The school is in a pleasant neighborhood. I was amazed (at the time) of how suffocating the institutional vibe was when I walked though the doors. CInderblock walls dulled an otherwise open and bright entry way, which is filled with student artwork and big skylights. We had to wait a bit until someone was ready to take tickets, so I had a lot of time to observe students and take a cursory look at the front ‘office’. At one point some staff came by, and I was a bit taken aback to hear the way that one woman (who I later learned is the principal) spoke to a small group of boisterous students. Snappish is the best descriptive. HOWEVER I can’t imagine the stress of her job, not to mention that she was still at work well after school hours ON A FRIDAY having to run around– so I’ll give her a pass.
As I was able to move further into the school I was flooded with memories of my own elementary/​middle school days. The cafeteria (where we enjoyed a very simple meal of pasta with red sauce, rolls and orange drink– the pasta was surprisingly tasty!) even though it had different types of tables than I had ever known, still had that familiar feel. I both applauded and mourned when I saw vending machines with no candy, chips or soda. But loaded with water, juices (still high in sugar right?) and healthier snacking options. (I personally don’t feel vending machines belong in schools, but that’s just me). I would have loved to see the ‘student store’ when it was open.
They gym was as I’d expect, though the bleachers there were not the hard wood I expected. It was odd to be on a gym floor in ‘street shoes’. The public address system in the gym is TERRIBLE.
My husband and me have no children, so it was indeed a ‘through the looking glass’ evening for me to be back in a school setting. The event was for a wonderful cause though, and since it was students vs students and TEACHERS. a great deal of fun was had by all in attendance, and I’m thankful to my friend William for the invitation.