Why should we be punished for something we had absolutely nothing to do with?

We have to stay in school three more days than any other school in our district. So, if we have vacation plans we are supposed to postpone them? Or if we have to baby-sit our little sisters or brothers, or friends, then we have to tell them we can’t?

The school is going to be hot and uncomfortable and our brothers and sisters will be having fun while we’re sitting in a classroom.

Why should we have to suffer for something we had absolutely nothing to do with? Why should we have to be in a hot, uncomfortable place while other people are outside having fun? Why should we have to put up with a whole year of inconveniences just to have to put up with them for three extra days? Why are students being punished for something we had absolutely nothing to do with?

We have had to move our classrooms in the last two years, which took up class time. We have had to be in uncomfortable facilities for two years and now they want us to be in them for three more days?

Meghan Hoar, Temple