Being a Senior, I can remember a time when I once breathed the outside air during school hours. What a crazy concept, right? It was only two years ago that I was freely inhaling the sweet smells of fall during my passing times, and it was marvelous. Naturally, this new hallway policy is ridiculed and scorned during every passing period, and I’m the first one to discuss how stupid it is to cram us into narrow hallways (which I’m pretty sure is a fire hazard). However, I’ll also be the first one to praise what administration is doing, because this inevitably proves one thing: administration cares about its students.
The new hallway policy was put into effect days after the tragic Newtown Elementary School shooting, and since then, there have been 15 recorded school-related shootings here in the United States. The policy created the school-wide scrutiny that is still exhibited by our students to this day. I’ll put money on the fact that no one enjoys the new hallway policy. However, I take comfort in the idea that in an ever-changing world full of psychopaths (and citizens obviously in need of better mental facilities), it has become relatively difficult for anyone who fits that category to penetrate the walls here at Stamford High. To the average outsider’s knowledge, the only way to get into the high school is through the front entrance: Past our beloved Stevie Wonder look-a-like guard, multiple security precautions directed through the main office, and a variety of other lurking security guards who are always on point. Otherwise, there is no way to physically harm the student body here at Stamford High from the outside; isn’t that a definite positive for you all?
Is anyone really going to argue that in today’s American society, there isn’t even the slightest chance that someone, off their pills and having a bad day, wouldn’t see us walking outside in between periods and wouldn’t for a second even think about harming us? It’s sad to think about, yes, but after considering such violent gun related crimes like the Aurora shooting, Newtown, and even dating back to Virginia Tech, I’m glad there’s some type of action be taken to provide safety to our students.
Whether you believe it or not, the administration cares about the emotional and physical well being of its students, and I for one am at the very least proud that my school is being proactive.