Three weeks into the 2025-2026 school year, many students noticed that the popular Mister Softee ice cream truck was no longer present during school lunches. Many students were disappointed to be informed that the Mister Softee truck would no longer be returning during lunches on Thursdays. Principal Pamela Duszynski recently enforced a ban preventing the truck from being available during lunchtime due to student safety concerns and nutrition guidelines the school is required to follow. 

Before the reinforced ban, Mister Softee would park the truck in the student parking lot on Sequoia Avenue during lunch. Large crowds would often accumulate around the truck, and many students reported spending their whole lunch break waiting in line to get ice cream. 

Mills High School has a closed campus policy, meaning students who leave the parking lot would be violating this policy. Principal Duszynski described the issue: “By parking the ice cream truck across the street from our school during lunch, this encouraged students to leave campus, which they’re not supposed to do.”  

In addition, Principal Duszynski spoke about the school’s nutritional guidelines. She explained, “Part of that also is students not leaving campus and not having access to foods that aren’t provided by our own Student Nutrition Services.” 

While Mister Softee may not be around during lunch, students will still have access to the truck after school. “Nobody wants to shut down something fun and exciting for students,  like an ice cream truck,” says Principal Duszynski, “But there are certain precautions we have to take to make sure that you’re safe.”