I think students should be able to use the spaces outside of school for classes or lunch. I think going outside for at least one period can be very beneficial to students for many different reasons. I think being outside can lift up our moods. It will help us perform better in class. It would also motivate us to show up to class instead of skipping.

Being outside and getting some vitamin D is very beneficial to our mental health and physical health. Exposure to sunlight is thought to increase the brain’s release of a hormone called Serotonin. Serotonin is associated with boosting mood and helping a person feel calm and focused. Personally, I really enjoyed the few times I went outside with my class  for some sort of activity. It lifted my mood and made me feel more awake and energized for the rest of the school day. Sometimes students fall asleep in class and going outside for at least 30 minutes can prevent that. 

A big problem that Manchester and other schools face is skipping classes. In every class there is at least one student that skips. If their class goes outside for the lesson or an activity, then the student will be motivated to show up to class. Oftentimes students skip class because being in a classroom can be tiring and boring. If they see that they won’t be sitting in another room they might want to show up to class.

I also think we should make use of all the outside space in our school. I think the spaces we have, e.g. the courtyard downstairs and the tables outside the concession stand, aren’t used enough and often overlooked.  I think most students forget all of the outside sitting spaces Manchester has to offer. Even if it is just during lunch time, we should encourage students to go outside more.

In conclusion, going outside for classes can be beneficial for students in many ways. It can lift up our moods, help our mental health, and motivate us to go to class more.