As high school juniors are welcomed into the new world of upperclassmen, new opportunities arise, specifically the privilege of an Off Campus Pass, granting them the ability to leave campus during lunchtime.
For several juniors, going off campus feels like freedom but can be overwhelming. With the ability to go wherever during the lunch period, there is a set time students need to be back on campus, which restricts certain places they can go to.
“Students have to learn about time management, safe driving and making reasonable choices. Obviously, you can’t go too far, or you’re not going to have time to get back,” Dean of Discipline Kevin Helms said.
Going off campus brings a lot of new responsibilities to the table. School resource officers monitor speeding attentively. Students know they have to be back at school when the 6th period bell rings, and if not, they will be marked tardy. If students don’t follow these rules, disciplinary actions will occur.
“Students have to have an off-campus pass to be able to go off campus, and that pass can be taken away,” Resource Officer Cody Hartley said.
For the past two years, juniors have been restricted to staying on campus, getting their lunch from the cafeteria or bringing their own. As upperclassmen, they can now leave campus and grab a quick lunch, hang out with friends, or just have a mental break between class periods. However, if school were to take away the off-campus privileges, students would no longer have a fast-food option and would be forced to eat cafeteria food or bring their own.
“It would probably not allow me to be as healthy since I go to my house and make food every day,” junior Lily Morgan said.
During the lunch period, the time is limited, putting restrictions on certain restaurants, fast-food places or shops students go to. In order to maximize the given lunch time, seniors give students intel on ordering ahead and making it back to campus on time.
“One piece of advice I would give to juniors is drive safely, and avoid speeding near the school,” senior Roman Johnson said.
Overall, the new privileges of juniors going off campus for the very first time have them gaining responsibility and trust, while also letting them have a mental break from school. Though the time is limited, students understand that going off campus is a privilege, not a right, which sets boundaries on their actions and requires accountability as well as time management.
“It helps them to learn responsibility and time management, along with decision-making. All the rules still apply, but there are some added responsibilities that come with it. Sometimes, students choose to bring food back to their friends, which causes them to be late, so just decision making skills.” Helms said.
