1st commentary article

Once you are in high school, you are told about all the freedoms you are going to have and how much fun high school is going to be. One of the things they don’t tell you is that only seniors are allowed to go off campus for lunch. I believe that all grades (freshman-seniors) should be able to go off campus during lunch when appropriate.

Everyone at Bowie High School has 40 minute lunches but seniors get to spend there’s off campus and taking a break from school. They already get to have off periods so I believe that everyone should have the privilege of going off campus for lunch. Studies have shown that kids who get breaks from school are more focused and attentive later into the day. So if all students were able to leave campus and take a break, it would allow for better learning environments for students and better teaching environments for teachers.

Furthermore, many kids don’t have time to pack a lunch in the morning, may not have any food in their homes for lunch, or just may not like, or be able to eat the cafeteria food and wind up not being able to eat lunch. If all kids were allowed off campus, they could choose the food they want to eat and have a lunch. Lunch provides kids with energy to finish the day strong. Therefore those who don’t eat lunch for whatever reason are sluggish and not sharp for their last periods of the day.

Another issue is that not allowing students to go off campus for lunch leads them to make poor choices and try to sneak off campus. I know many students who have gotten in the trunk of cars or just pretended to be a senior so that they could get off campus. Restricting everyone but seniors to the school during lunch is almost challenging kids to see if they can break the rules. This leaves kids with the impression that later in life if they can break the rules and not be caught, then it’s okay. That is not a good mentality to have and is another reason all students should be able to leave campus.

However, I do understand why only seniors are allowed to go off campus. They have been here for four years and deserve some special privileges. Also, many schools are working towards becoming healthier and allowing their students to go off campus and eat fast food would ruin the gradual improvements schools have made to their school lunches. Lastly, schools may be worried that a lot of kids wouldn’t come back after they leave, students would be late for their next class, or students could wind up getting hurt on the streets.

These views may be true for some but lots of kids are active and involved with some athletic activity in or out of school. Therefore the unhealthy food being consumed will not drastically effect the health of most kids.

Also students education is there's. If they choose to skip school and miss class, that is there GPA and future that is being effected. If students decide to skip the rest of the day they will be taught a lesson  by the reflections of their grades. This is a good learning opportunity for them and when they grow up, they will know that it is important to do the right thing and listen to those in charge. 

Futhermore, there are ways to get around most of these problems though. My first suggestion is that once or twice a week, all your students should be allowed to go off campus for lunch. This way, seniors don’t complain that their privileges are being taken away and all other students don’t complain that the lunch situation is unfair.

Schools could also put punishments in place for those who don’t come back or are late to their next class so that they will correct it next time.

Another way to provide this privilege but still keep students under control is having them apply for an off campus lunch pass. To get this pass students would have to have good conduct in their classrooms, acceptable grades, a car or friend to go off campus with, and a parent signature. This way you make sure your student has to earn this privilege.

Again, I believe that all grades should be able to leave campus for lunch and that in doing so, it will provide for a better learning environment, better eating habits, and better mentalities for later in the students life.




SOURCES:
Lunch is important- http://www.tesh.com/topics/kids-and-family-category/kids-need-breaks-to-do-better-in-school/cc/8/id/19968
Kids need breaks- http://www.tesh.com/topics/kids-and-family-category/kids-need-breaks-to-do-better-in-school/cc/8/id/19968