By Gabrielle Hurley
The bell rings and your stomach is yelling at you to feed
it. Approaching the lunch line, the strong desire to eat fades and the
happiness on your face changes to an unpleased look. You would rather starve
than eat the meal the school is providing. You think about the fact that you
have a car sitting in the parking lot just outside. Colonie Central high school
does not allow leaving for lunch, but what’s the big deal?
Many seniors question the reasoning behind making students
stay in for lunch when they are able to drive. Lunch, to them, is a free
period, where no school work is being done and they are free to do what they
please.
Jay Johnson is a senior at Colonie Central high school, who
has his driver’s license, and
participates in buying lunch at school. When asked if he enjoyed the food
served he replied with “not really.” “It’s not enough and not really
appetizing,” said Jay, “I think we should be able to leave to get lunch because
then we could actually get a good meal in our systems. It also gives us a
chance to get healthier or at least enjoy what we’re eating.”
The time for lunch is given at 45 minute increments at
different times of the day. Many stores and fast food stops reside on roads in
the surrounding area. Roads such as Central Avenue or Wolf Rd. “Where we live
allows 45 minutes to be enough. There’s a subway down the street, or a
Wendy’s,” said Jay.
Jaclyn Welch is a senior at Colonie Central high school who
does not buy lunch at the school. “It’s disgusting, and just not good,” said
Jaclyn. She usually brings a sandwich from home or makes a stop at Bruegger’s
Bagels and picks up something to take to school with her. “If I don’t have the
time in the morning to grab a lunch my dad brings it to school for me,” said
Jaclyn. Her dad brings her lunch to school frequently because the lunch
provided at school is unappealing to her, as it is to most students.
“Seniors should at least be able to leave for lunch because we know the rules and regulations. If we don’t come back to school when we leave to get lunch, then we can accept the punishment,” said Jaclyn, “If the rules are broken, then we can lose the privilege.” She also agrees 45 minutes is enough time, especially if the students buy food from a quick place rather than a big sit down restaurant.
“Seniors should at least be able to leave for lunch because we know the rules and regulations. If we don’t come back to school when we leave to get lunch, then we can accept the punishment,” said Jaclyn, “If the rules are broken, then we can lose the privilege.” She also agrees 45 minutes is enough time, especially if the students buy food from a quick place rather than a big sit down restaurant.
