Following a loud noise, two boys ran out of the Glenbrook South cafeteria and disappeared from GBS junior Rachel Schwartz’s view. She followed the boys down the hall and saw one of them surrounded by teachers, his head gushing blood.    

“Right where he was hit [with a glass bottle], you could see a bunch of blood on the floor … ,” said Schwartz. “You could distinctly tell, even after they took him away, where he had been because [the blood] was pretty bad.”

According to GBS Principal Lauren Fagel, the GBS administration made the decision to ban glass bottles from being sold in the GBS cafeteria after this incident. As a result, Quest services stopped selling glass-bottled beverages in the Glenbrook North cafeteria as well.

“[The incident] raised the question, ‘Why do we even have glass bottles in the cafeteria?’” said Fagel. “And the decision was made that they’re not really safe to begin with because when they break they’re difficult to clean up, and [it is] difficult to keep the area safe for staff and students.”

According to James Chantanasombut, Quest general manager of District 225 and Lincolnshire schools, the GBS administration informed him to stop offering beverages packaged in glass bottles in their cafeteria. He then made the decision to stop selling beverages in glass bottles in the GBN cafeteria in order to maintain consistency across District 225 and ensure the safety of students and staff throughout the district.

Chantanasombut said there are often injuries due to improperly handled broken glass, and it is difficult to clean up broken glass during the quick rush of students at lunchtime. It is very normal for high schools not to sell glass-bottled drinks because of this danger.

According to Kris Frandson, GBN associate principal for administrative services, if a student brings a glass bottle to school, it will not be confiscated as long as there is not a dangerous incident with glass bottles in the future.

Senior Dylan Chase said he does not think he would bring his own glass-bottled beverages from home, but the ban has affected him negatively because his focus in class has been compromised.

“I used to drink Tazo Tea every day, and I would always pick it up in the morning, and it would be a nice boost to the beginning of my day,” said Chase. “And now they aren’t sold anymore because of this ban.” 

Chantanasombut said, in order to minimize student frustration, the Quest staff has been looking into replacements for glass-bottled goods like Stumptown Coffee, canned Starbucks Coffee and Bai Antioxidant Infusion Drinks.

“We are trying to be consistent and provide more offerings and not let this be a huge sticking point,” said Chantanasombut. “We want to be able to offer some new products without too many hiccups.”