The Jungle Editorial No. 3
Saturday School Blues
by Courtney Chittka
"Hey, I heard that new movie is coming out on Saturday."
"Yeah, I think you're right, Stephanie."
"Tiffany, let's go see it Saturday morning, so we can beat the rush."
"Great! I can't wait!"
How many of you would seize this opportunity? Going to see a new movie with your best friend on Saturday, your day off from school? It sounds like a great plan, but what if you had to spend your Saturday back on your school campus picking up trash and scrubbing off others' graffiti, all for cutting class? Now that doesn't sound too cool at all. Saturday School is a horrible punishment for students, because it takes away from a student's weekend activities, relaxation and doing homework early.
Your weekend activities are your reward for going to school for five days straight. There are errands that have to be taken care of on the weekends rather than during the week. Having to attend Saturday school makes it difficult for a students to work, attend family get togethers or just hang out with friends. If you have to work in the morning or perhaps attend a family function, you would have to cancel that just to go to school to serve your punishment. This would look bad to your boss, and your parents would most likely be angry and disappointed.
Relaxation is a big part of anyone's weekend. Sleeping in, catching up on your Z's, or just lying around in the comfort of your own home feels good on the weekend for most people. I know that the majority of students who fall asleep in class or who are not focused lack sleep. One student said, "I cherish the very little time I have to sleep in. Holding a job plus going to school and juggling homework is tough. I couldn't imagine going to Saturday school on top of that." Since Saturday School is usually in the morning, it cuts off what little sleeping time students have.
Homework is not only given Monday through Friday, the majority of teachers give weekend homework also. Personally, I have never had to attend Saturday School. I don't know how I could do my homework if I had to go there. I can barely finish my homework with the usual distractions, and I believe Saturday School would put me in the hole with homework.
Though I am against the idea of Saturday School as a punishment for cutters, I do believe there should be an alternative punishment. But I stand strong in my opposition to Saturday School. It is a bad idea.
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