New Restroom Policy at TJ
Starting next Tuesday during the morning, start, fourth hour, and after school, the main office bathrooms are the only ones available.
February 13, 2020
Adviser note (2/14/2020; 2:50pm): This story was updated for clarification of number of bathrooms and estimated cost of damage.
Administrators at TJ have recently implemented a new restroom policy that has stirred up some intense emotions among students.
The new policy places restrictions on the restrooms students can use at different times throughout the day. Before 7:50 AM and after 3:15 PM, the only bathrooms students can use are the ones located near the main office. During a normal school day, restroom access is still available between classes, and by teacher pass during a class period.
During START class and lunch, the four restrooms in the B and C wings will be closed, and students are encouraged to use other open restrooms during those times. During these two class periods, the student’s teacher may call an escort to be taken to the main restrooms and then back to class.
The administration has added this new policy due to concerns over student behaviors in the restroom. Damage of school property, truancy, and just overall student behavior are some of the reasons this new policy was established. Estimated damage costs are over $5000, according to Principal Dr. Dania Freudenburg.
Though the policy was added to increase student safety, many students are outraged at the new policy.
Many think this is ridiculous and not needed. Others think that the policy will only work for a few days before things go back to the way they were before.
Michael Frieze, a sophomore, proposed a different solution to the restroom issue, “E-hall passes are more efficient [than the new policy]. You can see which kids are going to the bathroom, the teachers can monitor it, and it would probably single out the trouble-causing kids.”
Abraham Lincoln High School currently uses an E-hall pass system.
While the majority of the students viewed the new policy negatively, others had different views.
Heather Giovannoni, a senior, agreed with the new policy.
“There are so many kids that do stupid things, and if you can’t properly use the restroom then you shouldn’t be allowed to use the restroom.”
“I don’t think you understand that the restroom isn’t closed all day,” said Mr. Lindquist, the journalism teacher at TJ, to his START class during the presentation. “You can go to the restroom between classes or even if you get a pass from your teacher. But, in START class and lunch, they’re locked.”
Overall, the policy will help students use the restroom respectfully and the way it’s intended to be used. Many teachers have started classroom conversations on the issue to help understand the concerns that many students have.
The start date for the policy is next Tuesday the 18th. Though no one can predict how the new policy will affect a student’s day-to-day routines, many teachers are excited about the new change and hope for a better way of running the school day.
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Debbie Franks • Feb 16, 2020 at 10:48 am
With the new policy, there is bound to be opposition. But I as a tax payer, Jen-the good student, do not appreciate paying for irresponsible behavior that damages the school, students or anything else. If parents don’t like the policy, then start volunteering your time at the school and babysit the misguided individuals so this does not happen. The teachers are underpaid and understaffed to be the babysitter. They are there to teach the individuals that want to learn and make something of themselves. I doubt the parents will volunteer as the school’s booster club can attest to how much the parents get involved. So in the end I expect the students to step up and speak out about the select few students that are running it for the rest of the school.
Kyle • Feb 14, 2020 at 9:29 pm
Common logic If you make the mistake everyone gets the punishment. So I say that. You should. Make better choices for you and for others so you can get your freedom back. And the plus side you made you’re so dumb. Those Who did the damages And who started fights in the bathroom Plus if you want to do those things. Just leave school. Common knowledge common logic
Jen • Feb 13, 2020 at 10:14 pm
I have a student in T.J. and we have talked about the issue. There are alot of things going on in the restrooms that’s unacceptable.
Breaking mirrors, fighting, vaping, sexual interactions…. you name it.
If students dont respect the priviledge of being trusted to behave in a restroom then they loose those privledges.
That’s the way life works.
We didn’t have access to multiple bathrooms in school, and we lived.
They will live through it too.
And more safely.
Samantha Goodwin • Feb 13, 2020 at 9:18 pm
I am a TJ alumni who graduated with honors. I was very involved with clubs and even did college courses. What TJ considers as a good kid. This being said I would never think this is ok for the school to do. I would lead a protest and then if it didn’t get better I would take my good grades and leave the school. So I hope my fellow TJ kiddos band together and show TJ it’s not ok. Doesn’t matter if you the typical good kid or the so called bad kid. TJ administration and some of the staff needs to learn how to handle children better. If this is how TJ is going to treat children, I will never donate my money nor my time to them!
Donna • Feb 13, 2020 at 6:03 pm
So after reading this article and setting aside any emotions, the decision is because of inappropriate behavior in the restroom. My own son avoids the restroom because of stupidity that goes on. Their job is to keep all students safe. There are restrooms available for students to use. Maybe parents need to be aware of the behavior that is going on and have conversations with their kids. What is sad is that this decision had to be made because of a small percentage of students. They messed up and all students suffer the consequences. Parents need to help administration. This is not their fault. What about the kids involved in the behavior who made this decision a reality.
Teri • Feb 13, 2020 at 4:36 pm
I have grandkids that go there, and I feel with girls it can be embarrassing during certain times of the month. There are bowel issues for others kids. I think you are asking for trouble. And people are so eager to sue.
Brenda Wendt • Feb 13, 2020 at 4:21 pm
I agree with this, as i was at the school a couple of months back waiting to visit with a counselor with my grandson the line of students to check in because of being late was unreal they just kept coming in with their ear buds listening to music texting on their phones and they appeared to just not care so I can understand where the school is trying to enforce some discipline maybe the parents how to start paying for the damages because apparently a lot of them do not care if their children get to school on time or even pay attention in class
Tara • Feb 13, 2020 at 3:04 pm
I say, maybe if some kids aren’t acting the way they typically do, this would never have been an issue. Instead of getting upset at administration, watch how your classmates act. Start holding your peers accountable for their actions. Every action will get a reaction. If someone wants to act like they have no sense and want to damage things or act idiotic there will be consequences. It’s pretty simple. And yes I know not everyone acts up, but until those that do stop or are held accountable everyone faces the consequences.
Concerned Parent • Feb 13, 2020 at 2:30 pm
I do not agree with the change. Are you saying if a student has to use the restroom they will first of all have to wait for someone to escort them and then have that person stand guard while they use the restroom? That seems to be an extremely uncomfortable situation whether or not that person is inside the restroom itself or not. Both for the student and for the monitor. Will that person then go inside the restroom to make sure the student didn’t do any “damage” or whatever? Maybe instead you should consider an alternative? Try the e-pass as other schools are doing? Or send the people you plan to use as monitors around the restrooms more often to find those students that are misbehaving in the first place! I have been to the school during school hours and have seen plenty of opportunity for staff to take a couple of minutes to check a bathroom. Or have trustworthy students do restroom checks every hour for awhile until the situation is under control. I know I wouldn’t want to have someone standing guard over me while I was going to the bathroom! Especially if I was not guilty of anything. Would you?
adviser • Feb 13, 2020 at 2:55 pm
So, to clarify which is stated in the article, the students’ access isn’t being restricted during the majority of the school day. Before and after school, during START (homeroom) and during the lunch class period (but not while that student is at lunch), the B and C wing restrooms will be gated, but other restrooms (near the main office specifically) will still be open. The e-pass was discussed in the article as an alternative (brought up by a student). If a student needs to use the restroom during their class period (for example 7th hour) they can still get a pass from the teacher to use the restroom.
Jacob archibald • Feb 13, 2020 at 2:07 pm
This is ridiculous. As a person with digestive issues and being an alumni of Thomas Jefferson this makes me sad. Had I not had open access to the restrooms I would have been in some rather uncomfortable situations especially during lunch!!
adviser • Feb 13, 2020 at 2:53 pm
So, to clarify which is stated in the article, the students’ access isn’t being restricted during the majority of the school day. Before and after school, during START (homeroom) and during the lunch class period (but not while that student is at lunch), the B and C wing restrooms will be gated, but other restrooms (near the main office specifically) will still be open.
Sumer Cline • Feb 13, 2020 at 1:30 pm
This is ridiculous and going way beyond a minors privacy. Its sick ,cruel, and unusal punishment , also inhumane to be told avoid using the restroom during the school day they are required by law to .
Especially limiting one bathroom per gender for the whole entire school.
adviser • Feb 13, 2020 at 2:53 pm
So, to clarify which is stated in the article, the students’ access isn’t being restricted during the majority of the school day. Before and after school, during START (homeroom) and during the lunch class period (but not while that student is at lunch), the B and C wing restrooms will be gated, but other restrooms (near the main office specifically) will still be open.