Wyoming to eliminate senior lunch privilege

• Wyoming to drop senior lunch privilege
• Students won’t be allowed to leave campus midday
• Late start, early dismissal to be offered

A midday privilege for Wyoming High School seniors is coming to an end.

Called the senior long lunch, those who scheduled a study hall during the class time preceding lunch were permitted to leave campus for 90 minutes each day.

Principal Aaron Marshall said the tradition began before the school’s cafeteria was enlarged in 2000, to help alleviate crowding in the lunch room.

The midday break was used to do homework, work on college applications, socialize and eat lunch outside of school grounds.

Over time, Marshall said he has received feedback that this free time wasn’t being used appropriately in many cases, and that the instructional time before lunch could be used for elective classes as well.

“There have been growing concerns on our part,” Marshall said. “I have received calls about students having a couple of drinks, or using drugs, and then coming back to class, and we’re seeing that grow.

“Males and females are going to unsupervised houses,” Marshall said. “I got calls from residents about students tearing out of the parking lot to be the first ones in line at Panera, and then speeding back to get here at 1 p.m.”

He recalled a few fender benders, but no major accidents.

“I don’t want to paint Wyoming High School as the Wild Wild West, but these complaints have been growing,” Marshall said. “It’s time to say no.

“Enough is enough.”

The decision, which takes effect in the 2014-2015 school year, was made with input, and support, from Superintendent Susan Lang, members of the Board of Education, school staff and community members.

Marshall said that after the notice was issued, the presidents of Wyoming High School’s student council and student body contacted him, to offer their support.

Senior privilege won’t be eliminated, though. It will be shifted.

Students will have the option of scheduling classes that include a study at the beginning of the day or at the end, allowing them to come to school later, or leave early each day.