Think back to teen movies of years past. While in school, teenagers socialized, got up to wild hijinks and had seemingly infinite amounts of time between classes. However, whatever movie magic that once existed has since evaporated with the inclusion of Arlington Public Schools’ (APS) new Patriot Period rules this year. These new rules lock us inside classrooms, not allowing us to leave or wander the halls.

A vital part of adolescent development is socialization with their peers. During Covid, we saw the devastating effect that isolation had on mental health and social skills. Kids need to be able to talk with friends and peers.Is

Loneliness rates are highest among 13- to 17-year-olds (20.9 percent), according to the latest report by the World Health Organization’s Commission on Social Connection. Furthermore, teenagers who reported feeling lonely were 22 percent more likely to get lower grades in school, the same report detailed.

Seniors are so swamped with extracurriculars and college applications that their only time to speak with friends comes during school. Forced exile in a room denies people this opportunity. With the adoption of the new phone policy, it has become impossible to plan your whereabouts and coordinate with friends. This not only affects our mid-day chats but the ability to study for tests and finish group projects.

Patriot Period is a valuable time for students to work on and improve their academics. In years past, we have been able to wander the halls, stop by the library, visit multiple teachers or even stop by our counselor’s office. Patriot Period was a relaxing time for students to catch up on work or just spend some time with their teachers to better understand concepts. The reason many students value this time is because so many of our students participate in our school’s sports or debate teams, taking away any after-school free time.

With the addition of these new rules, we are forced into one classroom, leaving the hallways quiet and empty. These rules not only restrict our sense of freedom, but take away an enjoyable and helpful time for students.

Students are not the only ones at our school who benefited from the freedom we once had during Patriot Period. Many teachers also value the time for their students to stop by. Even if it is just for a brief moment, it still helps both the teacher and the student.

Now, these new rules empty the halls, making the classrooms cramped and harder for students to get their one-on-one time. Staying in one classroom for the whole Patriot Period bothers students as they only need one question answered, but are stuck there for the whole 30 minutes.

Many counselors also see Patriot Period as a useful time, especially for them to talk with their students, so that students won’t have to miss class or come after school.

With the addition of these rules, many students use all of their free Patriot Period days to get any extra help from teachers and often overlook even a quick visit to their counselor. Many counselors enjoy Patriot Period to meet their new students and begin developing long-term relationships with them.

While it’s understandable that these new rules help security and administrators manage students, they have an undeniable detrimental effect on student’s stress levels and mental health.

These new Patriot Period rules are preventing students from socializing with peers or having extra time with school work. Because of this, the new Patriot Period rules should be dissolved and students should be able to move freely.