By Cassie Sachs ’13, Contributor

This year, seniors at CCDS have been frustrated by the possibility that their much anticipated senior privileges will be withheld until second semester.

Stephanie Luebbers, Upper School Head, made the decision to push back privileges to the start of second semester rather than beginning the privileges after Thanksgiving break. Removing a span, points out Senior Dean of Students Fred Carey, of only around 15 school days from the amount of time seniors will have their privileges.

After listening to faculty feedback, Mrs. Luebbers decided that the best way for the seniors to do well in the critical first semester of senior year was to keep their focus through the last weeks of second quarter.

“Once seniors have privileges, much of their focus easily drifts from their leadership positions… We need the seniors to lead clubs actively and thoughtfully through as much of the year as possible,” said Mrs. Luebbers.

Although the administration clearly has only the senior’s best interests at heart, some seniors feel that this is a punishment for previous year’s students getting senioritis.

Jack Wildman ’10, Student Council Vice President, said he hopes that “the administration will realize that we have earned these privileges. I would like to see the senior class judged on our own merit, rather than the failings of previous senior classes.”

Alexandra McInturf  ’11, is also upset. “Our grade is being punished for something that essentially we didn’t even do. The mistakes that grades before us made are not necessarily the same mistakes that we will make,” said the senior.

However, not all of the seniors are worried about the delay of privileges.

Baldur Tangvald ’11, Student Council President said that, while he would love to start things like Senior Snooze and lunches out at restaurants, focus throughout the first semester is vital. “I’ll be better off if I’m forced to use my time in a more productive manner instead of leaving to get lunch or sleeping in,” said Tangvald.

While Hall and Tangvald do see the merit and reasoning behind the change, they aren’t entirely pleased.“It is unfair to change the rules for us when we haven’t shown signs of irresponsibility,” added Tangvald.

Mrs. Luebbers and Mr. Carey have said that they would be willing to discuss the issue with open minded seniors and the Student Council.  “[Mr. Carey and I are] always willing to talk about compromise,” said Luebbers.

For the time being, the seniors will have to arrive at school at 8:15 a.m. like all other students, and the lunchroom will remain a bit more crowded.

Photo by Adriana Ungerleider ’12, Contributor