Leaving during tutorials a false privilege

March 2, 2009 — by Grishma Athavale and Nandini Ruparel

The tutorial bell often signifies the mark of “freedom” from the classroom. While many students use the Monday, Wednesday, and Friday sessions to talk to teachers and finish up homework, others use it like a second lunch period, with all the usual lunchtime privileges—the most important being the right to go off campus.

However, the administration has emphasized that this is a false privilege. Students are actually not allowed to go off campus during any time other than lunch. Although this rule may aggravate many students, the reason for this is that tutorial time is reserved teaching time for students. If students go off campus at tutorial; they don’t get the number of learning hours that the school is required to provide.

The tutorial bell often signifies the mark of “freedom” from the classroom. While many students use the Monday, Wednesday, and Friday sessions to talk to teachers and finish up homework, others use it like a second lunch period, with all the usual lunchtime privileges—the most important being the right to go off campus.

However, the administration has emphasized that this is a false privilege. Students are actually not allowed to go off campus during any time other than lunch. Although this rule may aggravate many students, the reason for this is that tutorial time is reserved teaching time for students. If students go off campus at tutorial; they don’t get the number of learning hours that the school is required to provide.

Assistant principal Joe Bosco said that students should use the tutorial period to get concepts cleared up and to work on homework instead of going off campus.

“Students shouldn’t abuse the tutorial privilege to go off campus and waste this instructional time, instead they should get the help they need,” said Bosco.

To enforce this rule, campus supervisors have been placed on the school exits to make sure that nobody tries to leave during tutorial. If they are caught they will be given an immediate Saturday school.

“[The rule] corrupts, because it keeps students confined to the school in an enclosed space,” said senior Daniel Shepherd.

Another questionable area is the Wednesday tutorial. It is unclear whether students have to stay on campus or can leave during that time. Bosco said that students are actually not allowed to leave campus even then, but since it is at the end of the day, many students decide to go home at the end of sixth period.

“It’s a bad idea because it’s at the end of the day and people want to leave school,” said sophomore Emma Macnaughton.

“[The Wednesday tutorial] is part of the day, and students should be using the tutorial,” said Bosco, “The teachers are here.”

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