The fire alarms have gone off five times since the beginning of the school year, frustrating staff and students alike. None have been planned drills.
Some alarms are a result of construction malfunctions, and several have occurred as a result of vaping in restrooms. The unplanned alarms cause schedule alterations mid-day and interrupt lunch periods.
“I think it’s disturbing to have the class learning and having to get up, go out, and come back in. It’s becoming too much,” a senior who wishes to remain unnamed said.
“It sucks. It’s really disturbing to the learning environment and shows an inconsideration to the school, assuming the alarms went off because of vaping. If caused by faulty detectors or construction it is understandable,” AP/IB coordinator Andy Hodson said.
Principal Danny Mendez has implemented new policies since his arrival to better the school environment. On Monday, posters were placed outside bathrooms throughout the school. The posters read, fully capitalized, “Vaping will set off the fire alarm. Fines up to $400 and disciplinary consequences up to and including recommendation for expulsion.”
“I think it’s good to let students know what the consequences are so they can’t say they are unaware,” a senior who wishes to remain unnamed said.
“100% on board with the signs. I hope it’s effective. It is behavioral economics. For example, when you walk into a grocery store there are techniques designed to encourage you to buy one thing over another. With the signs, if you make a bad decision there will be consequences which hopefully prevents those actions from taking place. The signs are an empirical experiment and we’ll soon have the results, in a sense,” Hodson said.
The new policies that have taken effect this past week are all in relation to safety. From the vaping signs to the seating requirements during lunch and in the mornings, the policies allow SROs and administration to see clearly in person and on camera, preventing fights and discouraging students from smoking in the restrooms.
“The responsibilities for a safe and comfortable learning environment are shared. Staff can’t do it alone and so I’m proud of the students who make the right decisions,” Hodson said.
