From the Student Body of Conestoga, 

By signing this petition you are agreeing to the terms of this document and vouching for Conestoga students to be allowed to leave for any free period.

The 2021 school year has come with many new rules that are affecting the students. We understand that there are restrictions because of Covid-19 to ensure the safety of the students, faculty and staff. However last year, students who came into school for the hybrid option were allowed to leave during any free period, and come back to school: referred to as open campus. This was regulated by scanning our virtual ID. Keeping this in mind, being able to leave the school during any free periods that aren’t including first, fifth/lunches and eighth (which we are already allowed to leave for) would be leaving less students in the building. Also leaving less students potentially being exposed to Covid-19. We should be able to leave any free period because of the lack of space in the building. The only area where we are allowed to eat food during a free period or lunch is the cafeteria or the courtyard, which does not supply nearly enough space for a student body as large as Conestoga’s. With the cold winter months coming up, the large courtyard will no longer be an option to: eat, take a mask break, hang out with friends. The 35 minute lunch period allowing us to leave is not nearly enough time to eat and come back to school in a timely manner. The lack of spaces to eat lunch in school (because of social distancing) gives students no choice but to leave for this short lunch, and have barely enough time to come back to the school. Being able to leave during any free period will give students the option to stay in school or to leave for the period/s. This can also be easily regulated by the Ipad systems that are currently in use and which have been working extremely well. In conclusion, leaving for any free period will provide a safer environment for the students in school and let students have time to eat and regroup in a place where they have space to do so.