School seating Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Carroll Seating Company

School cafeterias haven’t always been pleasant places. From second rate food to uncomfortable seating choices, just the mere word cafeteria invokes all sorts of problem memories for most people. The world is changing fast, though, and with it, the school cafeteria is shifting too. Could yours actually be inviting? Absolutely, and these simple changes could help.

Cut Down On “Mass” Anything

From eliminating a single lunch choice for students to dumping the long tables where every single kid has to sit together day after day, get rid of the idea that cafeteria time at your school has to involve a singular, drone-like experience. Imagine going to your favorite fast food restaurant, standing in a very long line to receive a tray of food that looked just like every other patron’s, then being forced to sit next to every other person dining in the restaurant. You wouldn’t stay long, would you? As you redesign your school cafeteria, try to make it mimic the experience you might want while you’re eating. Put a couple of cashier stations out there. Add personal tables, booths, and other seating areas to give the students a chance to socialize with their friends.

Spice Things Up

One look at any school cafeteria menu, and you’ll see that things have changed over the last few decades. With choices like fajitas, pepperoni pizza, and even meatball subs. If a menu can have lots of dishes to please a variety of palates, can’t your décor be just as pleasing? Add student artwork to the picture. Throw in some creative portraits of your mascots. Choose a theme and throw in some 3D artwork to help really add to the feel of the cafeteria.

Don’t Overlook the Details

Sometimes it’s the tiny details that can change a cafeteria environment for the better. A new flooring choice may brighten things up. Helpful condiment stations may give students better access to what they need during a lunch period. Simple choices like planters can help divide up student seating and create a calmer atmosphere.

You want lunch time to be just as productive for your students as class time, and a few simple changes like these can help.

Elementary school classrooms have to be warm, safe environments. While the teacher can do quite a bit to make that possible with the right wall decorations and layout, the actual seating choices have just as much to do with it. Here are a few things to consider as you purchase new elementary school seating.

Seat Height: Not every seat is going to work well for all students. Chairs that are too little can be very distracting to kids. Those that are too big can be tough for little ones to get in and out of. Getting the perfect height is essential for a solid learning experience. Students ages five and under need seven to twelve inch seats. Those in lower elementary need twelve to fifteen inch seats. Generally those in upper elementary need something in the fifteen to seventeen inch range.
Seat Material: Most elementary seating choices are available in softer plastic, harder plastic, or wood. The softer plastic choices are easy for younger kids to move, and they’re fairly inexpensive as well. The problem, though, is that they’re not very durable. Harder plastic choices are more durable, but they’re a little more expensive. Wood looks best in the classroom setting, and they’re very durable, but they can be very costly.
Seat Style: You have to carefully think about what students might be doing in the classroom before you choose the right seating style. In some cases, you may want seating on wheels. Computer labs and science labs are most often where you see wheeled seating. Special education rooms may also benefit from some wheeled seating options. Gliders are another good choice. They work well on carpet, but plastic ones also work well on harder floors. Sled bases are also a good choice. They can move well on carpets, too.
Maneuverability: How often do the chairs you’re considering need to move? If you need more flexibility out of your seating choice, you may want to consider stackable chair options. You can choose from one or two piece options, and it often means that you can store the chairs out of the way when you simply want to do more with the area.

Elementary school seating is tough to pin down, but there are lots of different ways to create the perfect environment to meet the needs of your students. Find the perfect consultant to help make your needs a reality today.