Mondays at Fieldston have started to look and feel different. While the cafeteria’s meatless menu returns each week, phones are now tucked away in backpacks and, for one week, students stayed on campus for the entire school day. What was once just a regular Monday has turned into the most dreaded day of the week for many members of the community.
Each of these rules comes with its own purpose. Meatless Mondays promote sustainability and raise awareness about climate change. At the same time, the phone policy encourages students to take a digital detox and engage with their peers face-to-face rather than through a screen. Off-campus privileges are temporarily revoked after some students failed to scan their IDs or used someone else’s to leave campus. Fieldston hopes this change will encourage accountability and strengthen trust within the community.
Many students, however, don’t share the school’s positive outlook. Mondays are already tough as the start of the week, and the new limitations make them even harder to get through. One student, Sojo Brown (Form IV), explained that the policies have made adjusting to the school week even more difficult. “I think it’s kind of sad because Mondays already feel rough — we’re just coming off the weekend, waking up early again, and getting back into the rhythm of school,” she said.
Other students note that the continued Meatless Monday policy discourages students from eating in the cafeteria. “Meatless Mondays actually make more people want to go off campus during lunch instead of eating in the cafeteria,” said Ian Cheung (Form VI). Several students have shared similar frustrations, stating that being stuck with limited food options in the cafeteria makes Mondays feel even longer.
Some students, though, have noticed benefits from the new rules. Pippa Barton (Form IV) shared that the phone ban has increased her productivity throughout the day. “The phone ban helps me keep my mind clear, especially during my free periods. This gives me the ability to focus on my schoolwork,” she said.
Even so, the overall student response remains largely critical. The combination of these rules has made Mondays feel overly restrictive and exhausting. Instead of creating mindfulness or a more connected community, the policies have left many feeling frustrated. Mondays at Fieldston have become less about focus or balance and more about getting through the day. As discussions continue, many students hope the administration will take their experiences into account. For now, Mondays remain a challenge for students rather than a fresh start.
