“We Dine Together” makes plans to give students a safe place at lunch

Zoe Howard

Staff Writer

Mira Costa Spanish teacher, Ms. Shapiro opens her classroom for students that sit alone at lunch.

The club idea came from Shapiro after seeing a CBS News clip featuring a student in Florida who made the club “We Dine Together” to help new students and people who sit alone have a space to meet people and be comfortable.

“I thought [this club] would be so great at our school. Often times, I would walk [around] campus and see kids sitting by themselves and I just thought I wish I could help out,” Shapiro said. “I thought how can I help and I saw thisand thought what if we do this at Mira Costa.”

The original club in Florida wants to expand all over the United States. They have members go out and find the individuals sitting alone. The Mira Costa club branch is planning to use the same or a similar system as the original club.

“[I hope people can] recognize the club and view it as something that is there to help them, not necessarily a bad thing,” said sophomore club member Brynn Shapiro. “I know sometimes it is a little intimidating when there is a club directly for those people who are sitting by themselves. I hoping people will embrace it [and] feel that they can just come here and talk to us.”

The club meets every Monday with thirty-one students who are interested in the club. They hope to have club members soon go out on campus and find students who sit alone and invite them back to the club.

“It’s such a [great] feeling when you know you are included in this ‘big family’ area and safe space where you can be yourself,” said Brynn Shapiro. “So it’s up to us to take it into our own hands [so we can help the students that need this space].”

We Dine together is still figuring out its structure, Shapiro said. They hope to be able to work with the administration to find a place for the students to eat Tuesday through Friday and then meet at the club on Mondays.

“I’m hoping that people will feel that they can come and feel welcomed to come to this club. I’m hoping it make a big difference,” said Brynn Shapiro. “If there is a club established to try to help those people feel more comfortable and welcomed, then I hope we can do whatever we can to make then feel better.”

The club met with Costa’s school psychologist and coordinator of the Helping Educate Acts of Respect Together (HEART) club, Ms. Allen. They have talked about working together to have a safe space.

“By working with HEART club I’m hoping to gain a different perspective and, hopefully, use the knowledge that they’ve gained through working with others in a way that will make people feel comfortable and important,” Brynn Shapiro said. “I’m hoping that, in the end, We Dine Together will become a safe space where everyone feels as though they can be themselves without any judgement.”