“Where’s your hall pass? Where are you going? What class are you in right now? Who’s your teacher? Make this quick.”
The security policies in school have become stricter. They’re being enforced like they never have in my four years at school. Now, walking in the halls without a pass makes you an easy target for a security guard. You instantly become a suspect and can be questioned at security’s will.

I understand why the policies have been reviewed and revised. Last April, a student at Rockville accused two boys of rape in a school bathroom during class. I understand why administration wants to prevent something like that from happening here.
However, the new policies, including the 10-10 rule, the four minute bathroom rule and the rule that requires a student to turn in their phone before they use the bathroom are over zealous because these rules allow teachers to manage when and how a student uses a bathroom break.

At this point in my senior year, I am about to make several choices that will determine my future. I am expected to act as a responsible adult, but I can’t even use the bathroom without asking for permission first. I am treated like a kindergartener and a legal adult at the same time and it drives me crazy.

The average student here is mature, responsible and capable of making good decisions. But based on the new security policies, it has become clear that administration does not trust the student body to make the right choices. “I just feel like every teacher and administration worker believes that I’m trying to get around rules or cheat on a test. It’s not fair to me. I’ve never even gotten in trouble here,” junior Hannah Johnston said.

While these rules may have been put into place for our well-being at school, it seems that administration is trying to control what we do because they believe without strict regulation and enforcement, we will act out.

During the first month of school, every grade sat through a meeting with administration to go over school rules. In my meeting, Administrator Joe Mamana warned us of the detentions or possible suspensions we would face if we acted out of line. Looking around in the gym, I did not see a single person who deserved to be threatened with a punishment. For the most part, students here are responsible and hard-working. It is obvious that administration expects us to break rules and act out because they view us as irresponsible children who need to be kept in line.

Students now fear being stopped if they walk in the hallways without a pass or try to go to their cars to get something they forgot. Students are treated like possible suspects yet expected to behave like adults. In order for students to respect their teachers and administration, students need to receive respect back. The school can only function efficiently if there is a mutual sense of respect between faculty and students.