By Reese Kovacs
The 2026 Irvington High School school year launched with the implementation of the new unit lunch, which has proved to be both beneficial and bothersome.
Some believe that the school is overcrowded during the unit lunch, while others think that it gives a better opportunity to connect with friends. In order to support the amount of students at lunch during the same time, the school had to create new seating areas and strengthen old ones. Additionally, upperclassmen are still permitted to leave the grounds, opening up more space in the campus.
“I actually think the seating arrangements now are better than before since it gives a lot of people different places to spread out,” said sophomore Krish Jain.
Like Krish, most people have found their areas among the new locations. For example, there is seating on the second floor near the campus gym and further seating in the science wing. Additionally, the quad is full of life as more tables have been added.
However, some students are still not satisfied with the new seating.
Alexandra Simic, a 10th grader, said, “I think that it could get pretty crowded when there’s so many people in the same spots or trying to get places, but for the most part it’s spaced out and lots of people can hang out together.”
The transition from scattered lunch periods to a combined unit lunch is an adjustment for the students of IHS who are used to having smaller lunch periods.
As for the upperclassman, they are content with their ability to leave campus as it allows them the freedom and opportunity to go home or into town with friends.
“I go off campus so that I can have a relaxing setting to get my homework done without distractions and I can go home to make lunch or a snack that’s healthy and delicious,” said senior Alexandra Ziff Glueck.
Ultimately, the new seating arrangements at IHS have offered new opportunities for interaction while keeping the old policies that allow freedom.
