On October 23, Pleasant Valley High School announced that starting on October 26, any student with backpacks in the hallway will be asked to put them in their lockers and will potentially lose privileges, such as parking passes and event attendance, if caught. This announcement irked the many people to which breaking the rule of no non-mesh/transparent bags had become a natural, everyday occurrence.
When the announcement was made by teachers, the news was instantly met with complaints regarding how the strict enforcement of the rule was restricting the students’ easy way of transporting learning materials from class to class. “This isn’t going to fix anything that they want. I was just want to carry my stuff easily,” comments Jidong Sun, a PVHS Senior. These complaints were then met with answers, such as one from science teacher Joshua Hoffman: “Everything changed in 1999 when [the] Columbine [shooting] happened. [These are] just the rules now, and you’ll have to accept that.”
With this response, many outraged students accepted that this rule would just be something they’d have to deal with, unhappy as they might be.
“I get why people are annoyed, but they’re just complaining about finally having a rule enforced because it inconveniences them,” comments senior Caleb Arnold. This thought, a summary of the common comments heard and spoken throughout the day in regards to those complaining about the “bombshell” dropped by the teachers, represents another side of the student body. “I think it’ll help with some of the issues it helps to fix, but I see where they’re coming from.” offers another student.
“In the end of the day, it’s just an inconvenience, a very annoying one.” says senior Zac Ahlers. Ahlers was among the large portion of the student body that carried a bag to and from classes. Being a part of the affected group, he offers an insight into how many of the affected students feel about the situation when not in outrage. This allows for people to then try and see how they might feel.
As the rule is enforced and the students change their way of daily life transporting their things between classes, one can hope to see an improvement in flow and clutter in the hallways.
Alysa jones • Dec 15, 2017 at 8:44 am
I think it was good you put both sides to the argument and it’s a great topic to do
Alex Spay • Nov 9, 2017 at 4:51 pm
I liked all your quotes! Good job on the article and I think you did a good job getting students perspectives.