Seniors earn Viking pass early

            Every student at Parkway North looks forward to their senior year and receiving their Viking Pass, which allows a senior to leave campus during Academic Lab. It is a huge privilege to be able to leave campus during school, and is not taken lightly by administrators.

            It is up to the teachers and administrators to decide whether or not a student receives a Viking Pass. There are many criteria that must be met in order to be eligible for a Viking Pass. The student cannot have any D’s or F’s, any unexcused attendance, and any outstanding fees or fines. The student must receive teacher recommendations.

          “The Viking Passes are a big responsibility for both the students and the teachers. I think the students deserve to have a Viking Pass given to them if they meet the five criteria,” said English teacher Tricia Frank. “Although, in some ways it might not always be fair because some students might be able to leave that shouldn’t be, and some students might not be able to leave that should. If the student being to leave is solely based upon if the teachers think the student can leave it seems fair.”

            This year is a little different than most because the Viking Passes are now being distributed after three weeks instead of six.

           “I had an assignment in my College Writing class to write a proposal to send to the school. I chose to write about the possibility of getting our Viking Passes after three weeks instead of six weeks. I talked to Dr. Marquart and Dr. Calcaterra about my proposal and they were okay with it. They emailed the senior Academic Lab teachers to make sure they didn’t have a problem with it, and everything was clarified they agreed to accept my proposal,” said senior Zoe Halastanis.

            Once seniors receive the three week radar reports, they will be able to leave campus with their Viking Passes.

by Taylor Weiss