Courtyards Remain Vacant

Hartford has two courtyards, both surrounding the library area. With trimmed greenery, wooden decks and built in waterfalls, the courtyards are consistently kept in tip-top shape. Those who browse in the library can not miss the beauty of the courtyards, yet they are only made only for the eye. Not even the library staff can control that.

“I don’t even know if the courtyards will still be there because it looks like there’s a hallway that’s supposed to go through there,” head librarian Michelle Yu said. The library is set to be remodeled next year.”

Planned to be redesigned in the coming years, the library media center will be rebuilt, continuing the renovations already happening through the school. Despite never being open to the student body, the courtyards would be removed, a hallway taking its place, according to Yu.

Senior Benjamin Einwalter believed if the courtyards were not going to be in use for the students, then the school should find a use for them. Currently, without any classes using them and no students allowed in, the school courtyards are not only a waste of space, but also a waste of an opportunity.

“It seems kind of a shame in general that it's kinda just whatever, that’s it left abandoned,” Einwalter said. “It be interesting in these current wacky times we’ve got going on that we could go out there and , sort of, use it as a study place where we can spread out a little bit and be outside. At the very least I feel it could be an interesting sort of, uh, a display area or something.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, schools should “consider conducting activities in an area with greater ventilation or air exchange (e.g., outdoors),” and that they should “consider allowing students to eat meals outside, if weather permits.” HUHS’s two courtyards are in fact outdoor facilities, as are the front lawns of the school.

Previously tested in the first week of the school year, students like junior Lindsey Arvidson enjoyed the outdoors, saying how they were more “freeing.”

The courtyards’s open area offers everyone a chance to clean student’s minds from being cooped up all the time. It gives fresh air circulation for their body and a break from mask wearing.

“With COVID, right now, it honestly would be a pretty good idea just because we are in various areas, so I guess it would be a good idea,” junior Maya Mercado said. “ I think it could be utilized so that just a calm peaceful place for students to do work outdoors and have a little change of scenery for once.”

Other students like senior Benjamin Einwalter believe that if the courtyards are not going to be in use for the students, then the school should find a use for them. Currently, without any classes using them and no students allowed in, the school courtyards are not only a waste of space, but also a waste of an opportunity.

“It seems kind of a shame in general that it's kinda just whatever, that’s it left abandoned,” Einwalter said. “It be interesting in these current wacky times we’ve got going on that we could go out there and , sort of, use it as a study place where we can spread out a little bit and be outside. At the very least I feel it could be an interesting sort of, uh, a display area or something.”

During a time where fresh air is needed and students are more confined than ever, HUHS should open up their doors to their courtyards and let their student body relax, unwind, and more importantly, breathe.