Open Campus Privileges Requested By Chatham Senior Class

CHATHAM, NJ — Students from Chatham High School are asking the Chatham Board of Education to bring back open campus privileges for the senior class of 2024.

During the July 10 board meeting, two representatives from the rising senior class spoke up about the possibility of reintroducing an open campus for their senior year, which allows students to go off campus during lunch hours.

It has become a custom in the past years for next year's Chatham High seniors to make the case to members of the board of education that they too are deserving of continuing the privilege of an open campus.

Class President Jessica Poillucci continued the tradition, expressing the various accomplishments that their class has made over the last three years.

"The last three years have demonstrated the class of 2024's strong character and developing maturity through a commitment to sports, theater, community service and academics," Poillucci said.

If an open campus is once again allowed, the senior class will be able to leave the school grounds during lunch hours to eat somewhere in town or return home to eat if they so desired.

Poillucci and the Class treasurer, Caroline Sennett, explained that more than 100 members of the 11th-grade class have been inducted into the National Honor Society, which is a nationwide organization for high school students whose selection is based on four criteria: scholarship, leadership, service, and character.

"We understand that an open campus for seniors is a privilege, but also firmly believe that our aforementioned successes exhibit our classes' maturity and advancing independence. As we move into our final year of high school, open campus privileges will allow our class a greater measure of independence that will help us transition toward post-graduation life," Poillucci said.

After their well-received speech on behalf of and in support of their class, Board of Education President Jill Weber responded and emphasized the significance of character for an open campus to remain safe.

"I think you guys are very well accomplished. To me, an open campus is more about character. It's more about looking out for your friends. If you see a classmate struggling or going down the wrong path and not really using open campus in its intended method, maybe keep an eye out and look out for each other," Weber said.

Weber then approved the application for an open campus but also warned that it could be revoked at any time.

"I was on the board when it was revoked, and it was a sad, sad day for everybody. It was revoked for at least two weeks, but it can be revoked for the whole year," Weber stated.