Remember that student handbook you got at the beginning of the year, the one you gave to your parent to sign and never glanced at again—unless you needed a pass. Now, we are changing to the E-Hallpass because the original handbook protocol significantly changed what? Nothing. There is no point in the handbook; if the passes are switched to online usage only, nothing resourceful is left within it.
Nor are the rules entirely concrete. On Dec. 5, the way the newly implemented lunch line was changed for unknown reasons that the school was content with not sharing with its attendees: pay before receiving food instead of the other way around. Then again, Antioch Community High School enjoys enacting alterations in the middle of the school year; the E-Hallpass takes off next semester instead of being used for the entire year.
The benefits of both remain unclear. Whispers of stories continue of students grouping into a bathroom to share their vapes or film a randomness of “fights”; stalls lose their doors, or the Sequoit Stalls that the National English Honor Society creates are torn apart. Rules are broken that are not written but heavily implied.
What is the point of these rules if they are not followed?
Last year, the juniors were glued to the auditorium seats for an hour, carelessly listening to the former administration drone on about these “rules” that were not enforced by any. When that did not work, a new scare tactic—post anything eerily improper on social media, and you will struggle to get anywhere in life—was introduced. Still, this consequence was unfamiliar to them as they were not even seniors yet and may not have cared unless it solely pertained to their individual selves.
It is a somewhat similar situation here at ACHS; rules are not followed due to the lack of known consequences set in place. What truly happens if a student is caught with a vape? Fights? Bullying? How long are suspensions even? Two days? Three?
The student handbook is uninformative and blatantly tedious to view once the cover is opened to unveil the inside. Reading pages overfilled with never-ending words about what not to do but simultaneously what to do can accomplish the exact contrary of enforcing rules.
What even happened after an unknown person called the front office with the threat of shooting up the school?
A minute-long announcement the following Monday morning to help assure students that they were “safe” and the police were “looking into it.” No other information was given—even though no name could legally be shared, the consequences of the juvenile’s actions could have been provided to the public. Yet, it was not secure when police with rifles were hunting around the hallways, endlessly searching for the suspect at hand and students piled into their rooms, checking Facebook constantly for updates.
These rules do not need to hurt the students, nor are we bashing everything that the administration does; it is simply a question at hand that many are too scared to confront for fear of becoming silenced. However, our job as journalists is to broadcast student concerns, be the voices for the silenced and unite against those who will not listen. So, listen now and listen well: what are the exact rules and regulations at ACHS?
