Cayden's and James' 3 Paragraphs for Our Proposal for Healthy Schools Project:

Every Friday should be online school because it would benefit students both academically and personally. After a long week of waking up early and traveling to class, an online day provides a break while still keeping students engaged in learning. This system would balance structure with flexibility, making school more effective and less exhausting for everyone.

Think about how much easier things could be if every Friday were online: the school wouldn’t have to open up all the classrooms, run all the lights, heat or cool every hallway, or bus kids back and forth. That saves on energy costs and wear and tear on the building. Meanwhile, teachers could use part of the Friday day to grade papers, plan lessons, or meet with students one-on-one — things that don’t always fit into busy in-class time. Over time, those saved resources and freed hours could let schools use their space more creatively or cut down on overhead.

Finally, an online Friday can support personalization and recovery time for students. After four in-person days full of lectures, discussions, and school transitions, students may benefit from a slower day in which they can revisit difficult topics, catch up on projects, or deepen understanding at their own pace. This hybrid model combines the strengths of in-person instruction (active engagement, social learning) with the self-paced advantages of online work. In addition, mental health and well-being might improve by reducing burnout and offering a periodic “buffer” day in the weekly rhythm.