West School Takes Part in National Mix It Up Day

Tuesday’s lunch at the cafeteria was an “exercise in conversation,” guidance counselor Kate Pearl said.

Students, who normally sit just by class in the cafeteria, were instead assigned to a table by grade level, and were encouraged to “step out of their comfort zones and get to know fellow students that they otherwise might not have a conversation with,” Principal Brendan Dearborn wrote in an email.

October 18 marked National Mix It Up Day. The West School was one of more than 2,000 schools across the country that took part, running the activity during the second and third grade and fourth and fifth grade lunch periods. It’s the fourth year the school has participated.

National Mix It Up Day was held a month earlier than usual this year, which Pearl said had an added benefit.

“At this point in the school year we still have students that are feeling new,” she said. [This gives them] a jumping in opportunity to form new friendships.”

There were conversation starters placed on each lunch table to help break the ice (questions like “What did you do last summer?”, “What is your favorite junk food?”, Is there a famous person you’d like to meet?”, etc.).

And even for the students that already know most of the other students in their grade, Mix It Up Day still has its benefits, Pearl said.

“Even if you know everyone’s name, [you can] learn something new about them,” she said.

The new seating arrangement didn’t result in an awkward silence. Sounds of chatter and laughter filled the lunchroom. Some of the faculty and Principal Dearborn joined in on the conversation with the students as well.

“It’s awesome,” fifth grader Asia Bethelmie said.

“It’s a new way to talk to people you usually don’t and get to know them,” fifth grader Gianni LaBianca added.