WOODBURY — Students at Nonnewaug High School manage a wide range of obligations, including extracurricular activities, academic assignments, and everything in between.
At Nonnewaug, the custom of closing restrooms during crucial passing times is a growing occurrence.
Even while it might seem like a small matter, its effects on time management, student well-being, and the general atmosphere of the school have generated a great deal of discussion.
Riley Rich, a sophomore at NHS, has seen restroom availability become a growing concern from students.
“I have to run around the whole school to find a bathroom that is open,” Rich said. “I’m missing more classes trying to find a bathroom than actually using them.”
Even though the bathrooms are open during class time, the first 10 minutes and last 10 minutes of class, they are often closed until a staff member unlocks them.
“I try to go at the beginning of class so I’m not missing that much class time,” Ella Wisniewski, an NHS sophomore, stated. “I have to go all the way down the hall to the auditorium restrooms if I’m in AP Seminar. I have to go to the library on the opposite side of school if those aren’t open. There are only two single stalls [in the library], and I have to wait if someone is there. Instead of three minutes, I’m now out of the classroom for 15.”
The Reason Behind Bathroom Closures
The main goal of closing the restrooms during passing periods is to discourage disruptive behavior and keep kids in class. Faculty frequently claim that students may be more likely to skip class, loiter, and even damage school property if they have unfettered access to restrooms during passing time.
Even though this might be an inconvenience to students, Ellie Bruce, NHS’ hall monitor, notes there is a greater benefit to having the bathrooms closed during passing time.
“Kids were lingering and skipping class when the bathrooms were always open,” Bruce said. “Not everyone, but there was a group of students that would go to the bathroom during passing time and during their classes [just to skip class]. They were in the bathroom more than actual classes.”
Time management is further complicated by crowded halls, which can cause commotion and interrupt the school day’s flow.
The Drawbacks of Closing Bathrooms
There may be health risks associated with restricting children’s access to restrooms during passing periods. Students, particularly teenagers, have different physiological demands, for example.
Interim assistant principal Suzi Greene acknowledged that bathrooms are always available in case of emergency.
“The idea is, that if you go to class and let your teacher know and then come and use the bathroom in the first minute or two of class, then you’re not skipping class,” Greene said. “Or you can use the bathroom during lunch, and if you’re having an emergency, bathrooms are always available in the library or nurse’s [office].”
While some understand why the rules exist, other students feel this policy has significant drawbacks that cannot be ignored.
“It’s just not fair,” said Alexia Binette, a sophomore. “I spend more time finding an open bathroom than actually going to the bathroom. Sometimes I just need to wash my hands but I can’t.”
Other students say the closure of restrooms affects their feelings of independence and accountability. Students’ effort to make wise decisions regarding their time and well-being may be weakened if they are not allowed to attend to their personal needs during downtime. Rather, some suggest that students who abuse bathroom time face consequences.
“I feel like the group of students that are doing bad things should get punished,” Binette said, “not the whole school.”
