Within the walls of Joliet West, there has been a somewhat new addition to the basic rules shared amongst staff and students that’s been stirring a lot of confusion. This rule concerns, well, going to the bathroom. First let me elaborate, this rule implements the restriction of going to the bathroom during the first, and last, 10 minutes of class. 

The rule was initially created in the best interest of the students and to ensure hallway safety. Some staff are comfortable giving students leniency in case of emergencies, but this is not the case in other instances, such as when a female student of Pacer High School, located in New York, who claimed to be menstruating yet was still denied access to the bathroom. Evidently, this rule is applied in other schools worldwide and it can be harmful to students. There have been split feelings, some claiming it simply makes things easier with students being kept inside of the classroom, away from drama and any other potential mishaps.

When speaking to faculty of science and human services, Kelly Raczek, she claims from a “teachers standpoint” it is “easier for them [the students] to go to the bathroom at the beginning of class” rather than the end, although she does understand why they are restricted from doing so. Teachers at Joliet West see this implementation as a way for students to avoid altercations, or anything of the sort. How do the students themselves feel about this, though? 

Junior Miguel Arriaga says he doesn’t like the rule, his reasoning for this being, “my friend had to go to the bathroom, he was sick and the teachers didn’t let him go- so he had to be ESCORTED to the bathroom just because there was 10 minutes left.” After speaking with Arriaga and understanding his standpoint on the whole situation, junior Nyomi Castillo chimes in, “I guess I could see why it is a thing just because of the fights and everything, but I think they should at least shorten it– like maybe 5 minutes at most.” 

So far, there’s no sign or hint of this rule going anywhere. Though maybe like some students suggested, the rule could use some adjustments.