Throughout the school day, students at CCMS get six five minute breaks which let you hang out with friends, go to the bathroom, and get prepared for your next class. But the real break is when we go to lunch. No school work, no getting ready for your next class, you just hang out and eat. You only get to eat with the people in your class and that can be good or bad. You might get the occasional bracelet or get a system down that helps you get one nearly each day, but should that be necessary to go and eat with your friends?
Some students believe it shouldn’t be. I have assigned seating charts in each class and my chances of hanging out with friends are limited to class change and lunch so I agree with them.
“Lunch should be a free period where you should be able to sit wherever you want. Sitting wherever you want can let you make new friends. If you don't have a friend in a class and you have to sit with that class, you won't have anyone to sit with. It also lets you express your feelings to your friends,” says a seventh grade student.
This semester, I have had the opportunity to eat with my elective and some of my friends. Comparing that experience to eating in the cafeteria, there is a big difference. A difference that I don’t think there should be. Having the freedom to eat with friends at lunch without needing to have a bracelet should be something everyone is able to do all the time because it gives you a chance to get to have time with your friends and meet new ones. It also lets friend groups get together instead of leaving you to choose between the several tables your friends are at. Having more time with friends also allows students to have more meaningful conversations that can help them get through the day, like getting help from friends on academic or personal matters.
Overall, students feel like assigned seat take away from their free time, and believe that we should have more freedoms. “I just wish I could sit with who I want. I’d love to be able to really embrace my break from school,” concludes a CCMS student.