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Natalie Degraves - H Argument Essay 1
Natalie Degraves - H Argument Essay 1
Natalie Degraves - H Argument Essay 1
Mr.Smith
Junior ELA
6 November 2023
Should Upperclassmen Have the Privilege to Leave Lunch and Clipper Block
Do you feel like upper-classmen have no real privileges associated with seniority at
Newburyport High School? Lots of driving students feel as though they should have the privilege
to leave the premises for a short period of time for their own enjoyment and to elevate their
privileges at the school and build their independence. For lunch period and additional time in
Clipper block Upperclassmen should have the option to leave the school premise for a reasonable
amount of time due to their seniority and necessary independence in order to be ready for the
independence college brings. Although it may bring conversations of safety hazards and worries
of attentiveness, upperclassmen should have the ability to leave during their scheduled lunch
period in order to evaluate their independence and relieve the stress of a rigorous academic
schedule.
In Newburyport High School as of now upperclassmen do not have any extra privileges
over the underclassmen. As part of seniority upperclassmen should have the privilege to leave
for lunch and clipper block. College is only a year or two away at this stage creating a new
chapter of independence for students. The first step of independence can start here. With being
the oldest in the building “seniors have worked hard throughout all four years and have earned
the privilege to be able to go out” (SNO). Also counting for juniors they have been in the
building and they are approaching their senior year where they then have to start thinking about
college and life after high school. Creating this new form of independence for upperclassmen can
be a new step to being more productive. Personally when I am doing work outside of school I am
more productive than when in school. Some people could think the opposite which is why there
would be the option so if students felt as they are more productive in school during clipper block
they can stay at school. Further demonstrating the dependance of students' grades. Newburyport
High school has the grade point average of a C which is not bad but could be improved. Clipper
block is a time for students to meet with teachers for extra help or to make up any quizzes or
tests and also to get any homework you have done. So there should be the option only for the
kids who have good grades meaning if you are not failing a class or have below a C in any class.
This could create a discipline for those that need to work on a certain class and they can use the
time to get their grade up so they do earn the privilege to have the option to leave school for
clipper block. When having a C in a class it is only a couple more bad grades from failing.
Students are all caught up in school and a lot of students are very stressed out on a daily
basis. With letting upperclassmen leave for lunch and clipper block it can relieve some of the
stress and allow for time to relax. The main occurrence for students' stress increasing is school,
“Schools stress students, and sometimes they need to get away for a while. Leaving the school
during lunch would help students relax and temporarily forget about the stress school brings
them”(SNO). Personally I like to have time to escape from being stressed over grades and school
work and to focus on something else for the time being rather than being sports or friends or
even just relaxing. The workload school gives can be, “The main cause for stressed out students
is the heavy coursework they are taking on. Teens who want to get a jump on college may also
sign up for extra classes, only adding to the burden. Too often, the teen takes on subjects that
exceed their academic ability, causing added stress ” (BNI). When thinking about college
students get stressed out instantly due to feeling behind in the process or not prepared. Also the
amount of homework a night can lead to students being sleep deprived which is unhealthy. With
students leaving for lunch and clipper blocking, the stress levels can be decreased by having time
to relax or go home and do your school work where you don't have the temptation of talking to
Clipper block is a time for students to get caught up on their work which would also
release stress because they can’t see teachers for extra help. It can also be a safety issue for the
school with having kids leaving school and then coming back in. When kids are coming in and
out of the school it leads to other people having easier access to come in and out of school. With
the doors always being open and closed, “Having a steady flow of people coming and going
from campus greatly increases the risk of strangers entering campus” (The Southerner). Causing
safety issues for the students learning in the school. Intruders would be able to blend it with the
crowd better with having a “steady flow” of students coming in and out of the building. With
also having students coming in and out of the building, “It brings safety risks to both those who
leave and those who remain on campus; not to mention the temptation to skip the rest of the day
after chowing down on your third Big Mac”(The Southerner). When leaving school to feel more
relaxed and less stressed this could cause the temptation to just stay at home because you are
comfortable. With having clipper blocks at the end of the day as we do now students won't have
the temptation to stay home and miss other classes. Clipper block is a time for students to get
work done and not go home and relax, school is a 6 hour day and each student should be treated
With allowing upperclassmen with the privilege and independence to leave school for
lunch and clipper block the stress levels of students can be decreased and can cause for more
productivity. Although it can be a safety issue with having a steady flow of students coming in
and out of the building causing it to be an easier access for intruders to come in. There are ways
to prevent the saftey issues by having students come in and out the front door and have to fill out
a paper so it is tracked. Overall it would cause a more healthier habitat for students and students
would be happier to come to school and learn if upperclassmen were granted the privilege to
Aminzadeh, Arastou. “5 Causes of Student Stress.” BNI Treatment Centers, 21 September 2022,
“Should students be allowed to go out and eat during lunch at school? [Opinion].” Raider Nation
Chronicle,
https://nhsnews.org/16478/showcase/should-students-be-allowed-to-go-out-and-eat-durin
“Students should not be able to leave for lunch.” the Southerner Online, 12 February 2018,
https://thesoutherneronline.com/66414/comment/students-should-not-be-able-to-leave-for