Looking forward to going off campus and getting Chipotle with my friends at lunch, since I did not pack anything for myself, I heard on the announcements that the school was a closed campus for the day. I sank into my seat, mourning the burrito bowl that was once a part of my future. 

   During the football pep rally on Oct. 30 and Club Rush on Dec. 2, students who were used to going off campus at lunch were forced to turn back into the school at the back gate on the closed campus day. The campus was closed off because the administration believed that more students being on campus would lead to more engagement in the school.

   Students with an off-campus sticker on their Poway High School ID card were not used to this sudden change and started to complain to one another. 

   Many students were not aware of the campus closing ahead of time. I had no idea about it until I overheard people talking about it in my class before lunch. This made me upset because I was planning on going off campus with my friends, and I did not feel motivated to attend the events just because I could not leave campus.

   ASB verified that they closed the campus at lunch to promote more participation and campus involvement for student events. They think that if students cannot go off campus during lunch activities, they may feel more encouraged to connect with the school and participate in the events. From what I have seen, students do not feel more encouraged to go to these events; instead, they are more frustrated with the school. 

   Many students use going off campus at lunch as a way to disconnect from all of the stress surrounding school, mentally and physically. Going to get a yummy burrito or a Starbucks drink may be the best part of their school day, and taking this away from them is unfair because they were already allowed this privilege in the first place. 

   ASB and school administrators should develop other methods for encouraging students to participate in school activities instead of trying to force their presence. Students who want to attend will stay for the activities. If they want a larger attendance, they should build these activities into the school schedule and not take away from students’ lunch time.