Adviser’s Note: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this opinion article belong solely to the author and do not reflect the views of The Colt Chronicle Staff, Kinnelon High School, or its students and staff members.
For years, the “senior privilege” of leaving campus has been a challenge, leaving underclassmen behind cafeteria doors. For those who have their own car or rides, being restricted to eating on campus can feel limited. With this policy being expanded, underclassmen would have a choice of better food options, freedom, and space from the loud cafeteria.
Some may argue that younger students are not responsible enough to leave for lunch because they might show up late to class or get into a car accident. Others claim that leaving for lunch is a senior privilege, so they should be the only ones allowed out. But students and staff at KHS think differently about this.
Junior Fitzroy Hill-Warner agreed. He said, “As a junior who comes to school every day with a ride, I believe that we deserve to go out for lunch but only if we earn it by maintaining good grades and having limited tardies and absences.”
Math teacher, Samantha Beck, agreed with Hill-Warner. She said, “I would be open to expanding this policy, but the students would need to earn it by maintaining good grades. Going out is a senior privilege, so these underclassmen would need a higher standard to deserve it.”
Beyond the freedom of an open lunch, studies show that there is an academic benefit to letting students leave.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, researchers have found that “engagement behaviors are more amenable to influence than other statuses, like grade level, proving that schools should focus on encouraging active participation through earned rewards.” By applying this, open lunch becomes a reward for good behavior. It motivates underclassmen to earn freedom through hard work rather than just waiting to get older.
A report from the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development also said that “it is okay to take brain breaks” because “not every second of your school day must be taken up by thinking.”
For a junior facing a long morning of intense classes, being away from school could mentally reset the body, which will allow them to continue with the day and finish strong.
A study published in the Economics of Education Review promoted a “conditional open campus policy [that will increase] students’ test scores.” By incentivizing students to perform well to keep their privileges, students are treated like adults, promoting them to act more maturely.
To address safety and timing concerns, KHS could implement a system where, if a student manages a GPA above a certain level and has no disciplinary issues, they would be welcome to leave for lunch. That way, this turns the grade level requirement into a goal for the students, which they not only will earn going out privileges but also will be inspired to keep good grades and make smart behavioral choices.
KHS should consider a trial run for juniors next school year. By trusting students to manage their choices while being on a timed clock, this will allow them to learn how to be responsible.
It’s time to open existing lunch policies and expose underclassmen to new responsibilities, proving that they can handle the road ahead.
