At Poland Regional High School, students are required to join co-curricular activities to graduate. Should it be a requirement to join co-curriculars? Students and teachers look at the issue differently.

Kasey Lugner, a 9th grader at PRHS, believes students should not be required to join. “It isn’t necessarily educational; it’s fun.” She adds, “Some people don’t have the time.”

Cora Van Arsdale, also a 9th grader, thinks students should have a choice about joining. “High school … is about learning.”

Teachers have their opinions as well.

Math teacher Charles Franklin states, “Many, or most, students would not participate if it wasn’t a requirement. I didn’t when I was a freshman, and I wish I had.”

Cari Medd, humanities teacher adds, “I know it’s a requirement because researchers have shown that that they do better academically.”

And Jason Shiers, also a humanities teacher says, “Practice makes perfect. Students are developing habits. If not encouraged to practice habits that prepare them for the future, they will practice less productive habits.”

Teachers have different ideas about whether or not joining co-curriculars keeps students out of trouble.

Mr. Shiers states, “Absolutely, yes!”

But Ms. Medd says, “For some students it probably helps them stay out of trouble but then again, some students don’t get in trouble.”

While Mr. Franklin answers, “No, even with the co-curricular there are many chances to make bad choices in life. It is not the purpose of the requirement to “keep kids off the streets” but to provide enriching activities.”

Everyone has a different opinion about the co-curricular requirement — it may not be completely good or bad for students to join.