Rules are made to be . . . changed
November 8, 2009 • By Christian Mills, Staff Reporter
Filed under Opinion
As Pencader Charter students, we are aware that our school has undergone changes and improvements this year. For starters, the second floor of the new building was completed, the PAL mentoring program commenced, and we received another computer lab, specifically for the use of the business department. We also received new teachers and a new Dean of Instruction, Mrs. Lewis.
However, these were not the only gifts we received.
We also received some new rules, inside and outside of the Student Code of Conduct. These rules do not all appear unjust or unreasonable, but some do appear unnecessary, at least in their current form.
Let’s look at the rule that says food is not permitted outside of the cafeteria. Last year there were problems with students leaving their food containers, chip bags, and soda bottles in the classrooms. It was not uncommon to find gum under the desks or under the tables in the lunchroom.
So this rule could be deemed necessary. However, now that food is not allowed outside of the cafeteria, students attempt to get around the rule. This attempt may be as subtle as eating in the bathroom to the extreme of eating every time the teacher turns his or her head.
Most students only enter the cafeteria once a day, for lunch. The rule should be changed to state only that food is not permitted in classrooms. By amending the rule, students would be able to eat in the hallways, on the way to class, and discard the remains of it or put it away when they reached their classroom. As students and faculty we should work together and make a compromise.
Another rule that could afford to be amended is the rule that applies to coats and jackets inside the building; they are currently not allowed. The only exception to this rule is the Pencader fleece. This is understandable, at times.
The Pencader fleece is nice, warm, and comfortable, but I do not own one. The reason for this is simply that it has no hood; if it rains, it is of no help to me. Outerwear should be permitted in the buildings, when the weather calls for it, like on rainy days. We just need to get inside as quick and dry as possible. If this is allowed, outerwear can be removed quickly and peacefully, by the time class begins. This rule can be changed for the better.
Rules are necessary, but some are unnecessarily strict. When rules are too strict, students tend to find ways to get around them. Teachers, check for food wrappers and soda bottles in desks and trashcans. Rules are essential to life, but rules should be made within reason, and these rules were not made within reason.
The United States Constitution was amended. Certainly the Pencader High School Code of Conduct can be amended as well.
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In regard to the rule about food outside the cafeteria, who is going to be responsible for picking up the debris left in the hallway? While I agree with your theory, in reality, not everyone is going to take care of their trash properly. As a parent of three, I can tell you that there are certain rules that work very well with some flexibilty built in but that are others that must be absolutes. The ones that must be absolutes are usually the ones that must account for human nature. Some people are natural born “slobs”, for lack of a better word, and just will not pick up after themselves without a nudge in the right direction, even when high school age. I believe the administrators are trying to make life easier on everyone by making this rule an absolute. Your halls are currently not cluttered with trash and I’m sure everyone would like it to stay that way.
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I agree that some of these rules are unecessary, but don’t you think that some people (not using specific names) would just leave trash in the hallway? Those who do eat in the hallway sometimes leave trash, and I think the problem will only grow if you allow students to eat out there. Just saying…..
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