As the 2022-2023 school year starts at Cy-Creek High School, the graduating class prepares for their final year of high school.

The senior class of 2023 comes with special privileges such as late arrival and early dismissal. Senior students must meet a list of qualifications to apply for early release or late arrival. To apply for late arrival or early dismissal, students had to send in the necessary paperwork to their counselors before school started. However, if students need to apply for early dismissal or late arrival students should talk to their counselor and they will work with them.

“To qualify for early or late arrival, students must meet all credits, no excessive absences, and have passed all STAARs,” Susan May, school counselor, said.

While there are multiple reasons to apply for late arrival or early dismissal, one recurring reason appears to be students working.

“I’m working eight hour shifts roughly five days a week, and early dismissal helps me with that,” senior Matthew Boodram said.

Many seniors started working jobs over the summer which require them to spend long hours at work and less at home. Longer shifts at work means less time to work on school work. Students with jobs and DC/AP classes or extracurricular activities could face burnout, but with early dismissal, students will be able to get home earlier from work.

Students with early dismissal are expected to leave the school after the fifth period during the passing period.

“Early dismissal technically starts when sixth period starts, but students typically leave during the passing period,” May said.

Students with after school activities will still be able to attend those but must follow the rules surrounding them. All students who have club meetings or after school tutoring must have written permission from their club sponsor or teacher to return to school.

Seniors with jobs, DC/AP classes, or extracurricular activities could face burnout, but with early dismissal students will be able to get home earlier from work or school as soon as fifth period ends.