by Jaimie Goodwin
About ten years ago, Marshwood allowed seniors to either arrive late or leave early if he or she had first or seventh period free. Currently, Marshwood High School does not allow seniors to arrive late or get dismissed early from school, unless a note is written by a parent or guardian. Student are also not allowed to leave the school and return during lunch. Marshwood seniors should have the privilege to be tardy, leave during lunch, and be dismissed early via an open campus.
One reason students do not have open campus is because there may be the chance of car accidents occurring during the school day. Assistant Principal Mrs. Kelly Glynn explained that when students get on the bus and arrive at school, the student is Mrs. Glynn’s and the administration’s responsibility. Even though there has not been a record of car accidents, seniors may be running late and speeding to get back to school in time for class.
Mrs. Glynn has a point about the students being under her watch, but drivers might be more careful if they realized this is a reason why students don’t have open campus.
If there was open campus, a student could leaves for lunch to get a healthier lunch than what the school can provide. According to a research article performed by Roland Strum in 2008, “The food environment surrounding schools could easily negate school food policies and health education in the classroom, especially in high schools with an open campus policy that allows students to leave campus during their lunch break.” Most schools don’t provide healthy options. Students should have more of a variety for lunch like, fresh fruit, real meat, and healthier chips. Students could get these options if they were allowed open campus.
According to Officer Jeff Upton the closed-campus philosophy is, “once you’re here in the education environment you’re here to learn. Once you leave you’re in relaxation” mode. Officer Upton believes there’s a difference between being in school and learning compared to being outside of school. When a student is off campus they’re ready to relax learning is disrupted.
A Marshwood graduate thought, “the academics at Marshwood would improve if the school board allowed students with a certain GPA to leave and arrive late at school for lunch.” The seniors would put more time into learning and doing well if they knew they were going to be rewarded.
Currently, students’ parents write notes that allow them to leave early and be dismissed throughout the day, but these notes must be written every time a student arrives late or is dismissed to avoid an unexcused pink slip. One senior said "I don't think it’s a big deal because I have seventh period study hall and can get dismissed early if I want to.”
Although seniors at Marshwood High School do not have permission to leave through out the day now, perhaps the administration is willing to hear more suggestions on how to improve the situation.
About ten years ago, Marshwood allowed seniors to either arrive late or leave early if he or she had first or seventh period free. Currently, Marshwood High School does not allow seniors to arrive late or get dismissed early from school, unless a note is written by a parent or guardian. Student are also not allowed to leave the school and return during lunch. Marshwood seniors should have the privilege to be tardy, leave during lunch, and be dismissed early via an open campus.
One reason students do not have open campus is because there may be the chance of car accidents occurring during the school day. Assistant Principal Mrs. Kelly Glynn explained that when students get on the bus and arrive at school, the student is Mrs. Glynn’s and the administration’s responsibility. Even though there has not been a record of car accidents, seniors may be running late and speeding to get back to school in time for class.
Mrs. Glynn has a point about the students being under her watch, but drivers might be more careful if they realized this is a reason why students don’t have open campus.
If there was open campus, a student could leaves for lunch to get a healthier lunch than what the school can provide. According to a research article performed by Roland Strum in 2008, “The food environment surrounding schools could easily negate school food policies and health education in the classroom, especially in high schools with an open campus policy that allows students to leave campus during their lunch break.” Most schools don’t provide healthy options. Students should have more of a variety for lunch like, fresh fruit, real meat, and healthier chips. Students could get these options if they were allowed open campus.
According to Officer Jeff Upton the closed-campus philosophy is, “once you’re here in the education environment you’re here to learn. Once you leave you’re in relaxation” mode. Officer Upton believes there’s a difference between being in school and learning compared to being outside of school. When a student is off campus they’re ready to relax learning is disrupted.
A Marshwood graduate thought, “the academics at Marshwood would improve if the school board allowed students with a certain GPA to leave and arrive late at school for lunch.” The seniors would put more time into learning and doing well if they knew they were going to be rewarded.
Currently, students’ parents write notes that allow them to leave early and be dismissed throughout the day, but these notes must be written every time a student arrives late or is dismissed to avoid an unexcused pink slip. One senior said "I don't think it’s a big deal because I have seventh period study hall and can get dismissed early if I want to.”
Although seniors at Marshwood High School do not have permission to leave through out the day now, perhaps the administration is willing to hear more suggestions on how to improve the situation.
