For years, when the lunch bell rang, a mad dash (rather than a pleasant stroll) across the quad to one’s next class was crucial, due to the daily dilemma of seagulls that swarmed overhead scavenging for food. But in February of last year, the pesky birds no longer dove for snacks in the quad; several lines of fishing wire strung across the quad kept them away — for awhile. However, in the last few weeks prior to Winter Break, the seagulls reappeared to terrorize students.

“The wires wore out and needed to be replaced,” assistant principal Mr. Lord said. “We took them all down so we could redo it.”

The period in which the wires were down saw a rebound of the seagulls, which flew down to steal food and make a mess of campus. Once again, running across the quad while using binders as shields became the norm.

“Right when lunch ends they come down,”  junior Irina Ferguson said. “I am always thinking ‘please don’t poop on me’ as I head for class.”

Thankfully, the seagulls are once more held off by fishing line, which staff replaced soon after the two-week vacation. The clear string, which seems like a flimsy defense, works efficiently since seagulls believe it to be a net.

“We just redid part of it and have the center of the quad covered,” Lord said. “In about a week or two, the seagulls will stay away.”

Students and staff need no longer worry about the greedy sea birds ruining their lunches or spreading trash all over campus. For now, at least, the unlikely defensive mechanism protects the quad.

“Seagulls are annoying. They get in the way, get in the trash and fly in your face,” nutrition assistant Nancy Schildge said. “Although they are not here right now — they are on top of the buildings. The lines work!”