For those in varsity sports, the school gives the option to opt out of a gym class, for a study hall during the period. But this year, things were a bit different. Unlike years past, music and food were prohibited. Students also sat in assigned seats, where they had to be completely silent. These new rules were not only a surprise to seniors, but juniors as well.

Teachers have begun to become a bit more lenient with the rules; for example, phone use is OK as long as it is necessary for the completion of homework. But some students are craving more.

“I think we should be able to listen to music in our study halls because it clearly states it in the handbook,” said Ethan Planson, junior.

His sentiments are shared with many of his classmates, and even the students in study halls of other periods. In response, some classes have made compromises such as ‘music Fridays’ where iPods can be out as long as the music cannot be heard by other students.

In the handbook it does state that in study halls iPods, MP3s, or similar devices are allowed as long as not heard. This would mean that every study hall should technically be allowed to listen to music silently every day. The only problem falls when categorizing the opt out study halls; they may not be the same as regular ones.

“The handbook does not have PE Resource procedures and policies because it is considered a course,” said Ms. Marconi, head of the Physical Education Department.

This means that the course can create its own rules about cell phone use, and tweak it yearly, as it just did. The point of these changes is to hopefully make study halls more productive, where in years past, the period was more of a social hour.

“It’s probably a lot more productive this year,” said Yuji Cusick, senior.

To finish homework is ultimately what the study hall is there for, and if productivity has increased, the changes have been successful. On the other hand though, various students use music to concentrate.

“It’s definitely not unreasonable, but it may not be totally fair,” Cusick said.

Considering that there have already been compromises with phone use in the last month, other changes might be in order for students as long as it does not hinder homework completion.