School Rule Change is Justified

West Ranch High School (WRHS), has recently prohibiting students from going back out into the parking lot after their first period classes. The policy also states that students with no first period class are not allowed to sit in their cars after arriving early to school.

WRHS, a large school with about 3,000 students, implements a 30 minute “tutorial” time in between first and second period classes. During this time, teachers are available for assistance with homework or class-related material. In the past, many students had taken this time to go back to their cars in the parking lot to socialize.

The motive behind the new policy is to reduce potential safety hazards and traffic problems for students that are being dropped off at school. There have been cases of reckless driving as well as frequent unnecessary honking. Parents have expressed annoyance about big crowds of students in the parking lot that cause more traffic and fear of striking students with their cars.

It is the school’s responsibility to account for the safety of students when they step foot onto school property, yet the school does not have enough school supervisors to watch and regulate students in the substantially-sized parking lot. Many students have complained, but the rule ultimately maximizes safety and thus improves the learning environment.

Sanjay Ram, a junior at West Ranch High School, told JSR, “I really enjoyed hanging out with friends and having fun [in the parking lot]. But I guess this [new rule] is what we get for messing around and misbehaving.”