Bowie High
Two in-school
lP(ffJfC~~~flfl~Tr ,VoL 1 No.6
March 23, 1990
fires occur.-p.2 Spring romance in the air -D. 8
15200 Annapolis Rd. Bowie, Md
25 cents
Hagan Terminates Open Lunch Privilege
By Karen Morison
Pacesetter Staff Writer
"The Open Lunch program is closed. We will be going back to a closed lunch"program. Students received this' loud speaker announcment from Principal John Hagan in their fifth period classes last Friday after a final warning1he previous day. Following this proclamation. SGApresident Jenny Ho!!kins came on the'speaker al1(l reported that the "SGA is in the process of finding some way to regain some form of Open Lunch. She continued by stating that there had been iumors of a student sit-in and pleaded, "Please do not do anything rash." Despite the rumors, ' there was no public protest. Hagan has made several warnings throughout the year, cautioning students that if their open lunch conduct did 'not improve, the privilege would be revoked. However, students' behavior after his "final" advisory last Thursday clinched the program's termination. "Seeing students 2S feet away from me disregarding my warning, ,checking 1.D.'8 and finding ten students without them, the call from Glendening, and the trash in the community" was the last straw. Hagan notiiied the student body that he had received a phone call from County Executive Parris Glefldening, telling him that a citizen had reponed almost hitling a Bowie student jaywalking across Rt. 450 during lunch. He adds, "I thought 1 was partially to blame because I gave too many warnings, and students didn't take me seriously." Hagan reported to the school the previous TueSday that an accident involving a student driver and pedestrian, sophomores Tim
Brown and Maryanne George, .respectively, reflected the ov~. irresponsible student driving during open lunch. Vice principal Greg Proctor backs Hagan fully. He states. "Mr. Hagan has put up With pressure. He's been the strongest supporter of Open Lunch." Senior Tammy Pett:rsC?n is not sUIprised by Hagan's decision. She remarks. "Sixteen, seventeen; and eighteen year-olds should have enough sense not to run across the street." Hagan comments that the Open Lunch program. which began in 1976 and has continued until now wiht only one interruption in 1986 where it was cancenedbecause of poor student cooperation from 'March until the end of the year "doesn't have to be over forever.'" "The SGA wants to negotiate Open Lunch, If they come up with
ways to better police themselves, then it can be reinstated," he states and adds that the program could begin in a revised manner this year. He also says he is ready to meet with the SGA "as soon' as they wan"" . SGA has held one meeting thusfar concerning alternative plans for Open Lunch. Hoskins remarks, "We're lear:ring to the possibility of having an open lunch with seniors aff campus only or a one hour open campus closed tunch. At the earliest we will meet with Hagan at the beginniJlg of next week" and "propose that after spring break we have a trial period." Hagan maintains that both of the SGA's prospective alternatives are "possibilities." However, he adds that the I'seniors were just as much a part of the problem as anyone."
Stude1llS who were formerly permitted to go out to lunch are forced to crowd into the cafeteria. -photo by Kisha ChiuanlS