Starting this year, students must stay in the classroom of their first test during the break. The only way a student is allowed to leave is if he or she pre-orders a lunch. The lunch can then be obtained from the cafeteria, where the student must stay and eat his or her food.

The administration has established this policy due to troubles they have had in the past with students wandering the halls during breaks. Not only did this create a lot of traffic, but after the break was over, hallways were left a complete mess. The administration feels that if students stay in classrooms, hallways will be left clean, leaving less work for the janitors to do.

Forcing students to stay in classrooms for a so-called ‘break’ doesn’t really benefit anyone. Breaks are for students to relax, eat, and maybe study for their next midterm. A student does not have the freedom to do all of these things in a classroom, especially if their teacher doesn’t allow it.

Students at the school have a lot of mixed reactions about the new policy. Some feel that the administration is doing a good thing by enforcing this new rule, while others feel that the regulation is completely uncalled for.

“I feel like it‘s a good policy because it prevents distractions and loud communications in the hallways and some students may have a hard time concentrating as it is. I think it will be good for the students,” said junior Luke Thompson.

Junior Alexander Shadmehr thought otherwise.“I think it’s an unnecessary thing to do, we already go around and talk with our friends in the morning, why not between those two periods…?”

The first day this policy is going into effect is this Wednesday, January 20, a half day. We can only wait and see how the new schedule works out.

Posted on 2010-01-18