Why are students not allowed to leave the building during their lunch period?
When attendance secretary Danna Saeugling was asked about students leaving campus, she said, ¨Students probably wouldn’t return on time and we would have lots of tardies if they left.¨
But shouldn’t that be that individual student’s problem? Why should all students lose the opportunity to get lunch off campus because a few children misbehave?
Every student should have the freedom to eat lunch in the cafeteria or in a social atmosphere outside of the school building. If students are given the freedom of off campus lunch, they will also have the responsibility of showing back up to school on time.
If most have shown accountability and earned respect of faculty members, they should be able to leave the building. All students who leave the campus are aware of the consequences that can occur, such as unexcused absences or tardies. This policy change would not only allow students a greater sense of responsibility and time management, but also given them a chance to enjoy a lunch they personally like every day.
According to the student handbook, outside food is not allowed to be brought in or delivered. Some students bring their home lunch every day–including food from restaurants. What is the difference between bringing Burger King or KFC for lunch in a lunch box or going to get it during your lunch period? Shouldn’t students be able to eat an off-campus meal while in their lunch period if they return back at the proper time?
The Iowa Healthy Kids Act was mandated in 2008 and set nutritional standards for schools in Iowa. One standard required Iowa schools to assure the foods they sell on school grounds are equivalent to (USDA) Smart Snacks.
But allowing off-campus lunch is not as if the school is not selling food; the law does not apply to this. So if a student brings their own lunch, and a food manufacturing company sold the food, it would not be restricted by The Iowa Healthy Kids Act, since the food was not sold or provided by the school.
Principal Heather McKay said, ¨This act limits what we can control with food during school hours.¨ But if during school hours a student is not on campus, the act does not apply. Why would what you eat off school grounds affect the school’s food offerings’ nutritional value? It wouldn’t.
Safe driving is also the top concern of Principal Heather McKay in thinking about students leaving during lunch. She said, ¨Driving off campus during school hours and returning would be a safety concern if something were to happen.¨ The school would be at fault for the students leaving without permission. I believe school liability would not be an issue if students had a signed permission slip. A few departments at AHS require a slip to be filled out saying they are allowed to leave the building, so what is the difference if it’s for lunch?
