Opinion Editor
Amelia Benamara
As the fourth quarter school year continues, the seniors at SLA Center CIty made it their goal to bring back the infamous open campus during lunch bands.
Throughout the school year, rumors have circulated that the open campus policy was not to take place this year due to multiple reasons.
Although nothing was confirmed, many students went around saying that the School faculty had decided to put a stop to the plan because of many times students were caught sneaking out of the building during lunch hours. Another rumor suggested that it was the senior class from last year who had ruined this year’s class’ chance for the privilege of leaving school during lunch.
The answer was much simpler.
“Somebody asked either Mr. Lehmann or Jeremy, and one of them responded ‘that’s not a thing anymore, we aren’t doing that’, whatever we felt like saying at the time — but it wasn’t true.” health teacher SLA’s principle, Ms. Lennese states.
In reality, open campus was something that faculty would wait for students to bring forth, and then decide to make it happen or not,rather than something that automatically happens every year.
The offer is not automatic, because it also hasn’t been entirely successful.
“There is no senior class that has maintained it for the whole fourth quarter,” Ms. Martin mentioned about the seniors in the past years. “That doesn’t mean I do not have hope that this year’s senior class will make it further, long as they follow the rules.”
This year, the issue was brought to school administrators by multiple senior students like Kyianna Thomas as one of the members of SLA’s Black Student Union as well as Bronwyn Goldschneider.
“After talking with a group of seniors, I emailed Ms. Martin about open campus. She then told me to meet her after school to talk about a potential plan. Later on, I met with her again to discuss the finalized proposal.” Goldschneider continued to explain, “After a good proposal was drafted up, I was told it would have to be approved by Ms. Leanness/Mr. Lehmann. The plan must have seemed fair because it was approved fairly quickly.”
Then, on April 6th, the senior advisories had an advisory meeting in the cafe where advisors validated the open campus for the quarter. Permission slips with the rules that needed to be followed On April 11th, students had the opportunity to go out for lunch for the first time.
According to the seniors who took advantage of the privilege, the first day of open campus went really well. They enjoyed the change to get fresh air even if it’s just for a couple minutes especially when students are stuck in a building for 7 hours straight.
“It felt very good to just be out of the building and to be able to sit down and talk with two of my friends at Arch Gourmet.” Eric Valenti confessed, “Even towards the end of lunch, I saw a number of my peers rushing to make it back in time — and I think this shows the dedication and care they have towards following all of the rules for open campus.”
Several seniors stated that they deserve to be let out during lunch due to their improved behaviour.
“It isn’t deniable that our past has made a lot of trouble, but we’ve come a long way and our class is definitely way more unified than the other gardes.” Senior Eric Valenti stated.
Now that the door is open, will the senior class maintain the 4th quarter open campus privilege by following all of the rules that apply?
The rules listed on the advisory sheet that students and the faculty have negotiated for include:
- You must be on track to graduate to be eligible
- No interim report 4th quarter
- No school or class cuts from time of announcement
- Submit permission slip signed by parents to advisor
- Must sign out and in
- Can not sign in or out another student
- Must not be late to class
- Students who receive interims lose off-campus privilege.
- Administration has the right to review any students’ privileges.
“We have already lasted longer than some previous classes and as far as I know we haven’t had many if any strikes yet. We’re definitely really close as a class and it will be easier for us to be on top of each other if one of us isn’t following the rules.” Valenti speaks on his hopes for his class.
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