Buchanan High School recently decided to remove break time from the schedule and instead have students go straight from 2nd period to 3rd period and in exchange, have an extra minute of time between classes to get there. The 6 minutes of switching time we had before was more than enough time to get to class and go to your locker if you had to. Now, we have 7-8 minutes between periods... And the lockers are no longer going to be issued. They are being removed. Why add extra time between classes to do less things? At most it should take 3 minutes to get to class without a locker. This is more of a punishment to students then a benefit. We are being forced to give up a break from intense testing, work, and learning in exchange for extra time that isn't going to be used. Where is the incentive to try hard if you aren't going to have a few minutes to give your brain a break? Studies show that a 10 minute break is beneficial because after long periods of taking in information, less will be retained if you go directly from one class to another. Focusing on schoolwork for four hours at a time is exhausting, and nobody can or will want to focus and stay still for that long. A break gives students time to relax and process information. Break is also beneficial because in that time, students can have parents drop things off they forgot without disturbing the learning environment, have a small snack which boosts energy and awareness, buy breakfast in case they didnt have a chance to eat at home, organize assignments for upcoming classes, and use the bathroom so they don't have to interrupt class later. Not only are breaks beneficial for students, but for teachers as well. Teachers have a chance to prepare for their next class, have a small snack, return emails and phone calls to other staff and parents, and use the restroom. Bears, please sign this petition to bring back break to Buchanan High. The benifits from having a break depend on you!