I am high school student, who along with many others, greatly benefits from our current schedule of 'Short Wednesdays'. These afternoons provide us with an invaluable space to catch up on coursework, engage in extracurricular activities, and more importantly, manage our mental health by taking a much needed break from the academic rigors of the week. Variations in the school day, such as short Wednesdays, not only reduce school-related stress but also boost students' overall productivity (American Psychological Association, 2014).

However, the proposed shift to making these short days infrequent monthly occurrences threatens the equilibrium that we've achieved in balancing studies, personal life and mental health. We are aware that the decision may have its reasons, but as students directly affected by it, we feel it important to voice our concerns.

Research supports the view that regular, shorter school days contribute to academic achievement and overall student wellbeing (National Education Association, 2017). We urge the school board to reconsider the plan of replacing our weekly short Wednesdays with just one a month. A decision affecting such a crucial aspect of our school lives should also consider the impact on our well-being and workload management.

Sign the petition today to keep short Wednesdays a regular fixture of our school week and champion student's mental health and work-life balance.