There have been noticeable changes made in the hallways midway through the 2025-2026 school year. The most notable changes are the color-coded sections, or zones, of the hallways.
This new policy was implemented to limit where students are able to travel during class time, due to the persistent abuse of the previous hall pass system. According to Pleasant Valley principal Michael Hawley, the zone’s purpose was to combat this issue. Hawley stated, “We had incidents… that of bullying, some harassment, and then of students just literally disappearing from where they were supposed to be.”
The new system was ultimately introduced as a broader effort to improve school safety and keep students in their appropriate areas of the building. Principal Hawley emphasized that the zones are not meant to punish or inconvenience students. They are simply enforced to create a more academically driven environment.
There was naturally an immediate controversy sparked schoolwide among students and faculty members. Junior Addie Belman commented, “Treating students like children is not the answer, it is only going to create more tension between students and our administrators which will hurt students more than them walking around the school.”
Many students outwardly expressed their frustrations, describing the zones as excessive and juvenile endeavors made by the administration. Some students even organized their own quiet protests, hanging a variety of posters around the school. One of those posters read, “Big Brother is watching you,” reflecting concerns about the monitoring.
Rather than immediately resorting to punishment, Principal Hawley responded with intrigue. “You gotta laugh, but, you know students are trying to tell you something, so listen to them,” Hawley commented, acknowledging the students’ indirect way of communication.
Opinions still remain largely divided, with some students and faculty accepting the changes while others are still admittedly against them. The zone policy represents an attempt to balance the safety of students while also keeping student freedom in mind.
It is still unclear how and if these policies will hold up in the hallway long term, but the zones have become an integral and defining part of student life. As the school continues to adapt, the conversation around structure and safety will likely follow suit.
