This school year there are many new guideline changes in The Forest. Some include the bag and search policy.
Horry County Schools implemented a new policy following many security issues that our district experienced last year. Switching to clear bags and water bottles has brought an extra level of safety.
The new search policy allows for all students to be searched daily. The district provided newer high end metal detector machines for all the schools. The policy also allowed schools to crack down on how much is being brought into the school setting.
Each and every student and guest who comes on to campus is searched. This has changed from previous years when only those who came in at 8:20 were searched in rotating areas.
Assistant Principal Jimmy Bailey shared, “The search line in the morning is moving very smoothly. Our students are awesome!”
Although the search line is moving well, it still has not changed the late bus problem. There are still many students whose buses arrive after 8:20 in the morning and these students all need to be searched before they go to class. Yellow late bus slips are handed out to all students whose buses arrive after 8:20.
“The bus often arrives later than the scheduled time; for example it was scheduled to arrive at 7:30, and the bus doesn’t show until 7:50 or later. In addition, the bus arrives at the school 20 plus minutes after class starts. I believe that this hinders the student’s learning, and I believe that this can interfere with test and grade assignments students receive,” stated freshman Lucas Sardi.
Many students believe that the cell phone policy has changed, but this is not the case. The policy is just being strongly enforced by all teachers, bringing consistency in all classrooms. Although the state is working on making phone usage in school law, this is not the reason that they put stronger enforcement on this rule.
“I believe that the stronger enforcement of this policy is not good. I understand the impact they believe that it would hold, but I worry if I need to speak with my parents about something important,” added senior Emersen Stultz.
Many students have similar opinions to Stulz. However, this policy is not enforced to punish students but to help them out. The enforcement of this policy has allowed for more time in the classroom to be used on important things instead of nonsense things that will not help in benefiting students.
Jennifer Jones, one of our teachers, stated, “I like the policy while direct instruction is taking place; however, cell phones have become a part of communication within our society today.
Overall, there are many different opinions on the changes and enforcement of policies. Despite the complaints to enforce guidelines that will benefit the students, these changes were made to benefit and bring safety to our students on a daily basis.
