Op-Ed on Raven 50

Are We Getting the Full Benefits of Raven 50?

     This year the Olathe high schools are trying out a new system during lunch. We are given 50 minutes to eat and consult teachers for help. The time is split into two parts; Lunch A and Lunch B. However, the district is trying to decide whether the time is benefitting everyone or if we should just go back to the old schedule.
     Personally, I am seeing that Raven 50 is very helpful.  It allows us time to finish up leftover homework and ask questions to our teachers. Since school starts at 8:00, it may seem like we already have enough time to finish up homework before school, but some students cannot get to school until about ten minutes before the bell. Even if we already have our homework from the night finished, we can get a head start on homework from our first four classes or even study for tests we have later in the day. It also provides us an easier way to communicate with our peers. Last year we could only have lunch with our friends that had the same lunch hour as us. With Raven 50, we can sit with anyone, which helps friends who don't have classes together to stay connected. Raven 50 has health advantages as well. We get more time to eat so we don't have to rush. Students who felt that they didn't have enough time to eat a proper lunch are now freed from worry. I feel that it also functions as a de-stress time of day. I can sit down and distance myself from the busyness of school and have fun with friends for a little bit.
     Overall, I think that our high schools should keep this system because many of my peers really enjoy this time. If it is felt that students are not using this time correctly, I propose that we enforce some rules. Students must only eat in certain hallways/classrooms, they must go in for help this many times a month, etc.