Seniors not to receive early dismissal privilege

Paige Simpson, Editor-In-Chief|August 10, 2017

WEB EXCLUSIVE

As their fourth and final year begins, seniors await new class schedules, final high school memories and–most importantly–senior privileges, such as departing class five minutes early for lunch and at the end of the day.

But, unlike in previous years, the class of 2018 will complete this year without the privilege of leaving class early. Last year’s seniors lost their early dismissal privilege near the end of the year due to issues.

At the time of article publication, principal Joe Trybus was unavailable to complete an interview. 

With this revelation, many students are left with a rush of emotions and questions.

Senior Ashlyn Register, who is in favor of leaving early, feels like Trybus’ decision is unprecedented.

“We haven’t even had the opportunity to misuse it, [they should] give us a chance,” Register said. “It is right to grant us these privileges, but [they] can’t take them away if we haven’t done anything wrong.”

Like Register, many students within the student body are angered by this ruling, because the five-minute policy would grant them luxuries such as beating the parking lot traffic, getting to the bus on time and beating the usual crowd to their lockers.

Senior Peyton Scott attests to the benefits of getting out earlier than the rest of the student body.

“The five minutes would help me get out of the parking lot faster, [which] means I can go home earlier, even if it is only five minutes,” Scott said.

Honors Trigonometry and Functions teacher Sue Brown said she foresaw students reacting negatively to this decision.

“Sometimes, students can’t see the big picture and feel entitled to things they may not have earned,” Brown said. “I know [they] are going to say, ‘But we were juniors last year and it was not our fault,’  to which many of us reply, ‘It happens every year, so maybe the policy needs to be changed.’

Many teachers, such as English III teacher Kimberly Finnegan, share similar views.

“While I did enjoy the extra five minutes of peace before lunch and after school, it tended to be disruptive–students would get antsy if I had to teach near the end of class–or I had to shorten lessons a bit to accommodate the privilege,” Finnegan said. “There were a great deal of problems and abuses, by both students of all grade levels, as well as by teachers, that made that early dismissal privilege a burden and a potential safety issue.”

Finnegan also stated that there are other positives to senior year.

“I think many students will be upset at first because most have been waiting for this since freshman year,” Finnegan said. “However, I don’t believe Mr. Trybus intends to just do away with all privileges–there may be others the students can earn.”

Brown also urges students to trust that, even without this privilege, senior year will still be worthwhile. But many students still feel robbed, and want to know the reason behind the change.

Senior Sebastian Landeta said he understands administration’s duty to make these decisions, but wants to know the reasoning behind it.   

“It is school rules. However, given that we’re seniors and it’s our last year, I don’t think it’s right,” Landeta said. “They’ve let previous years of seniors leave early. Why not us? Why not now?”