Upperclassmen Start Petition to Eat Lunch Off-Campus

Some San Ramon Valley High School students were looking forward to the freedom of driving off-campus to eat lunch when they became upperclassmen, but it seems that rite-of-passage has been squelched.

A petition created by a San Ramon Valley High School student calling for the restoration of the rule has gathered 194 signatures in four days.

The petition on Change.org reads:

"For years the upperclassmen at San Ramon Valley High School have enjoyed the privilege to leave campus for lunch ... Many have us have looked forward to it since freshman and now its been taken away. Why is it a problem when we go off? There was never an issue before and it could hurt the small [businesses] if a huge portion of their lunch rush is suddenly not able to go and buy their food. Its important to us and future juniors and seniors that off campus privileges are restored."

There are no plans to reinstate off-campus privileges for juniors, said Terry Koehne  the school district's community relations director in an email. However, no decision has been made regarding senior privileges. 

The school will be holding a community forum to discuss the issue later this month.
An article from the school's newspaper in 2012 explains that beginning in the 2013-2014 school year, only seniors would be permitted to walk off-campus for lunch. No driving.

While San Ramon Valley High is close to downtown Danville, students are given 35 minutes for lunch time.
Comments on the petition underline some student's disappointment in such liberties being taken away.

"Going off campus for lunch was always something something to look forward to in so many different senses," wrote Mark Christensen of Alamo.
A former SRVS student who enjoyed the privilege before graduating in 2009 commented: 
"This was a 'rite of passage' in a way and something we all looked forward to. It also helped to contribute to the feeling of closeness with the surrounding community that SRV had."

Read the petition on change.org 

Should upperclassmen be allowed to eat off-campus? Were there any privileges granted to seniors at your high school? Leave your thoughts in a comment.