In high school, students gain a lot of privileges compared to middle and elementary school. Turning 15, 16, 17 and 18, there are more privileges that students get to do by themselves. When someone turns 15, they can get their permit. Then the following year at 16, they can drive. Then two years later, at 18, they become a legal adult. Among other things, they can enlist in the military and can vote. During these four years, students are also expected to get to class on time, keep up with school work and also have a social life.

If students can do all of these things, why aren’t they trusted enough to go in the hallway without an official hall pass? The passes that are needed to have in hand every time they enter the hallway must have the destination, and in some cases must have a reason why. Why else would they need to go to the bathroom other than to go to the bathroom?

It would be one thing if they were allowed to be in the hall with a laminated pass or a symbol from the teacher that indicates that they are

allowed to be in the hallway, but they have to have the specific hall pass.

Some students have already enlisted in the military, but they can’t walk to the bathroom without written permission? Assistant principals Kevin Kooi and Sharon Roberts said the passes are required so that every student is treated the same, so that there is consistency throughout the whole school.

Some students are allowed to go in the halls permitted by the teacher without a hall pass, and some student’s teachers won’t let them go without having a pass. All students should be treated fairly, but do they really need to written permission to go to the tech office, library or bathroom?

As a student body we should be trusted. Yes, there are a ceratain few who have proven that they shouldn’t be trusted in the hallway. But shouldn’t others get a chance before they have to have a specific hall pass? Students should not be punished or regulated with rules when it comes to hall passes, especially when they haven’t done anything to not be trusted.

Life would be so much easier if each teacher could have a laminated, already signed pass. Teachers wouldn’t have to write a long, drawn out pass, and the students could get in and out of class a lot easier.