Dear Editor, and WHS Administration,

I write to ask for your consideration of the opinions of the students who attend Wilmington High School. From the student body, an issue has arisen regarding the closed-lunch policy. Students are infuriated about their inability to leave the school grounds during the time allotted for lunch. As the advantages and disadvantages of allowing an open-lunch are presented, please continue to keep an open mind. As stated by the inventor of the first automotive electrical ignition system, “Where there is an open mind, there will always be a frontier” –Charles Kettering.

I ask of you to ponder and deliberate as to what should be done to assist in the appeasement of the students’ complaints. A suggestion might be offered in equivalence to the allowance of the students to leave the school grounds during the period(s) in which lunch and intervention takes place. Have not the students of Wilmington High School been taught to be responsible individuals?

Just as one may address and attempt to rectify an issue, the advantages and disadvantages of the proposed solution must also be explored and analyzed. One student may prefer to remain on the school grounds during their lunch and intervention period(s), while many others prefer to have an open-lunch. This difference of opinions is solved by allowing the students, before the commencement of the school year, to designate their preference on an appropriate form provided by the school. In the case of a student choosing not to return to the building at the appropriate time, disciplinary action should be taken, equal to the punishment for signing one’s self out from school, in the office, without proper permission.

Although some minor issues may root from an open-lunch policy, the advantages far outweigh their counterparts. Students will be allowed to regenerate both their minds and bodies and return to the school rejuvenated-reenergized as they are after summer vacation- eager to return to school and continue learning. For many students, high school is a very stressful atmosphere. The escape from the school grounds is necessary but, at the present time, not permitted. Furthermore, allowing students to eat at their homes or in a restaurant will save the school system money.

While this issue may seem rather minute in the grand scheme of a child’s education, it is a very significant issue to many students of Wilmington High School. I ask you to act. You have the passion to listen to the student body and the authority with which change can be made.

Andrew Davis