High school students barely have enough time to socialize with their friends throughout the day, because they are too busy trying to get to their next class, without being marked tardy. As a result, the only period that they are given to hang out with their peers is in lunch.

However, lunch is only 30 minutes every day and that is just not enough time to gossip about things that are going on in our lives. This is why we need recess.

What would high school recess look like, you ask? It is a time for people to not only see their friends that they may not see throughout the entire school day, but it is also a time to release stress that may have developed from taking a test or presenting a project in front of the class.

According to Eli Arbreton of Youth Radio, he says that due to his busy schedule, it is hard for him to focus in high school. “I have four classes and before lunch ─ my first break after almost four hours ─ and there’s barely enough time to go get food. By the end of the school day, I feel pretty tired.

“But if I had a little break or some time to move around, I think I could do better in and out of school,” added Arbreton.

In addition, Arbreton also did a report on one student in Vermont that changed his entire schedule around in order to construct a period for recess, which resulted in students saying that they can focus better because of the free time that they are given.

At Montpelier High School, the superintendents allow a 15 minute time period each day that is devoted to recess. So why can’t Carlisle High School do this? Just 15 minutes is enough time for us to be able to relax and enjoy the company of our friends.

Not to mention, if students have a test that day, recess would give them the opportunity to study for it, so that they won’t fail or to even just mentally prepare for it in order to get a good grade.

In comparison to Montpelier High School, CHS could also use a 15-minute time frame for students as well. How would this be possible?  In fact, the idea is very simple.

If the CHS staff would give students the choices of either letting them have recess during the first 15 minutes of their study hall or due to the fact that everyone doesn’t have a study hall, it could be the first 15 minutes of lunch as well. If half of the students in the lunch room go out to recess for the first 15 minutes, then the other half could be eating and then they could switch. This way, everyone is satisfied and relieved.

In the end, recess is something that should be available to every student in Carlisle High School. We shouldn’t have to go home stressed about a test that we think we might have failed, even though we studied the best that we could. The 15 minutes given to a student could be just the right amount of time for them to be able to get a good grade on the assignment or for them to get a story in about something that they saw occur during their day.

Disclaimer: Articles designated as “Editorial” represent the views and opinions of the author, not the 2016-2017 Periscope staff, CHS Administration, or the CHS student body.