For those of you who don’t know: zero period is a 1 hour class every day before the standard schedule. Many people take the class to join a club while also participating in their main classes (my school has 6 you can take because of the block schedule). It is an amazing opportunity and we don’t want to lose it.

Growing up in a competitive academic environment is no easy feat, and for many students at our high school in Carlsbad, California, the speech and debate 0 period is a crucial lifeline. This period allows us to juggle our diverse academic ambitions while fostering essential skills in communication and critical thinking. However, the elimination of this period endangers our ability to achieve our academic goals and undermines our preparation for college and future career paths.

For someone like me, the potential removal of the speech and debate 0 period means making an incredibly tough choice between dropping a significant Advanced Placement class, such as BC Calculus, or stepping away from the speech and debate team—a decision that could adversely affect my college applications and personal growth. I'm not alone; many of my classmates are facing similar dilemmas. This period, known as 'zero period', enables students like us to maintain a flexible schedule that accommodates internships, extracurricular activities, and intensive academic courses.

Numerous studies and educational experts acknowledge the importance of flexibility in a student’s schedule. Flexibility allows us to pursue passions, explore career paths, and enhance our educational experience. Reports from the U.S. Department of Education affirm that students engaged in extracurricular activities tend to have higher school attendance, lower dropout rates, and better academic achievements. Sacrificing this unique opportunity for scheduling prowess would be a disservice to motivated and aspiring students.

We acknowledge the challenges faced by the administration, including budget constraints and logistical issues. Nevertheless, cutting the speech and debate 0 period is not the solution. Instead, we propose dialogue with students, parents, and faculty to uncover alternative solutions that enrich rather than diminish our academic landscape.

We urge the Carlsbad High School administration to understand the repercussions of this decision on its ambitious students. Let's work towards a solution that preserves the speech and debate 0 period, allowing us to continue excelling both inside and outside the classroom.

Please sign this petition to show your support in preserving the flexibility we need to meet our academic and personal goals. Together, we can ensure that the voices of Carlsbad students are heard and that our educational interests are safeguarded.