Why are students in the hallway more than class?
“Sure, but be quick,” the teacher always states while I walk outside of the room to go for my sixth walk of the day.
What are all the reasons for this? Anxiety? Can’t sit still? Just not interested in the subject? Many students agree that more difficult classes, such as chemistry, are the longest period they’re out.
“Spanish or science I’m out the longest,” freshman Sophia Kallianiotis said.
“I only go out on one walk and it’s chem” junior Chase Knapp had mentioned
Although people are extending their breaks in different subjects, the reasoning is often the same: refocusing during long classes.
“Cause I can’t focus and I just need a break,” freshman Cassidy O’Hayre says.
“They just help me refocus,” Knapp stated.
In addition to refocusing, it also helps with staying engaged, according to Stephanie Gutierrez, a counselor from Nonnewaug.
“It can help kids who struggle to attend,” she said. “It gives them a break and they become more engaged in class; that’s the goal of these walks.”
Although there are people out for longer, that’s just a sample of some of the students walking around, according to Ellie Bruce, the hall monitor of Nonnewaug.
“Students that are out for multiple and long periods of time are about three or under, but I would say there’s probably maybe 10 or under of students that walk frequently but definitely not as long,” Bruce stated.
Many people have walks in plans such as 504 and IEPs, which are plans that make it fair for students with learning struggles. Walks can be one tool used in these plans.
“Because depending on the student’s disability, it’s harder for students to sit, especially in a block period for a long time,” Gutierrez said. “That can depend on the disability; for most kids it’s an attention issue, but for others it’s different.”