Allowing students to peruse their own interests without effecting scheduling.

Wouldn’t it be nice if students had time during the day to spend doing what they want? Wouldn’t it also be nice if this time had no effect on class time, so no one could complain?

Well I think I’ve found the answer. Students should be allowed to leave during their first or eighth period study hall. This would allow students with either period study hall to use the time in a flexible manner. Students with first period study hall who have a lot of homework to finish can come to school and use the time entirely, and students with little to no homework can use the time to get more rest or have an adequate amount of time to eat breakfast.

Along with that, students with eighth period study hall can either, again, stay and finish their homework if they wish or they can choose to spend this time pursuing their own interests or getting in a little more time before practice or work.

There have been many students who have expressed this to teachers but are often given the same excuse, “the school doesn’t want to be responsible for those students who choose to leave.” But this always confused me because the school isn’t responsible for the students who sign out early, so why would this be any different?

If this were to be put in place, obviously, there would need to be rules set to help it run correctly. One of those rules should be that you have to sign out in some way whether that's calling in in the morning or going to the office to sign out eighth period.

If there is concern that students would take advantage of it, to start out, the staff could limit the days that students are allowed to skip their study hall. This way teachers and the principals can get a feel for if the students are mature enough to handle the freedom.

I feel like this opportunity would be good for students especially with the loss of Flex Time. High school students need to have freedom in order to have a smooth transition into college and being an adult; this would allow for that.