For the 23-24 school year, Central welcomes the Friendly Faces Table, designed to ease the transition for kids who recently immigrated to the United States. The table is run by English Learners Department Head Karen Brown and staffed by student volunteers from Latino Leaders and National Honors Society. The table is located in the cafeteria on both A and B days during all lunch periods.  

Anxiety over where to sit at lunch is a common experience for students on their first day at a new school. The table is designated for any students who are new to Central, especially students who have just recently immigrated to the United States. The table offers students the opportunity to be able to meet new people who may share similar experiences or interests, share stories, and calm the first day jitters. 

As the EL department head, Brown sees this dynamic first hand. Brown said current EL students have told her they wish the table existed when they arrived at Central. “I wanted a place for all new students to come in and be able to sit in the cafeteria or courtyard, especially if they were EL students and didn’t know anybody and have somewhere to sit,” Brown said. 

“We have some leaders that we identified in the EL Department all from different countries, that speak different languages, that were great to have involved,” Brown said.  

Information regarding The Friendly Faces Table is spread mostly by word of mouth. Students who sit at the table have felt that it should be more widely known. “I think this is a really good idea. If someone comes to school and they need help, they can get it,” junior Abdul Mohammadi said. “When people see our table, they know it’s reserved. We’re VIP,” Ephraim Mpona said.