CHS has changed and adapted their safety regulations in the past year, consequently bringing new challenges for teachers, students, and administrators. Students wonder when the changes surrounding the traffic patterns, the BKT structure, and availability of the water fountains will go back to ‘normal.’ In a recent survey sent out to the student body, the most prominent issues were the empty tampon dispensers in the student and female bathrooms, and the limited access to water students have throughout their day.

 For over a year, the promise of the feminine products being provided in restrooms has been made but not fulfilled. Bella Burton, a CHS freshman, understands this inconvenience and would like to see it changed: “It would be great if there were products in the bathroom for girls that are free. If you don’t have any and you just need something, I feel like that would be really nice.” Providing tampons in the dispensers will simplify the lives of so many teenage girls, and will demonstrate that CHS seeks to meet the needs of their students. 

Feminine hygiene products are not just an extra cosmetic that girls want to have, they are something necessary that over half of the population of CHS needs every month. In a recent interview, Dr. Irizzary reported that “we were one of the first schools to get the dispensaries installed, but when the school shut down, and opened again, the problem could’ve been overlooked.”  He also disclosed that the school did buy the feminine products necessary, but filling the dispensers got lost in communication. However, steps are now being taken to provide free tampons in the dispensers in all female and student restrooms. Through this action CHS is actively improving the lives of their female students and enabling them to move throughout their day with confidence and ease. 

Along with the lack of feminine products, students have voiced their feelings regarding the unavailability of water throughout the school. In the previously mentioned survey, around 70% of respondents said that they become easily dehydrated throughout the day when they forget their own water bottle. Dr. Irizzary informed us that the school is on top of this problem, and has ordered 1,200 water bottles to be kept in the front office for students in need of one. CHS is making clear steps to accommodate the health needs of their student body while remaining within the safety parameters presented by Covid-19. 

The administration of CHS cares about the needs of their student body and seeks to address them. The physical health and comfort of students, whether that be through access to menstrual products or reusable water bottles, is vital to students’ academic and physical performances. It is important that the administration sees and meets these needs, and it should be considered a success when students see improvements throughout the school. Students should always voice their concerns to administrators and seek to improve conditions at CHS, especially when doing so will simplify the lives of others.