Changing Policies, Adapting Students

Grand Prairie High School recently found itself changing certain school policies for reasons unbeknownst to students and faculty alike. These policies have sparked controversy all over the school, as they come with their fair share of inconveniences.

One of the most controversial rule changes regards the school attendance policy, which was changed by the district itself. Students were said to be permitted two absences before they were required to go to attendance school, which is no longer available after school hours. Students are required to attend Saturday school to get credit for courses they might have missed.

“I think it’s unfair and really stupid,” sophomore Quinton Watson said. “For instance, what if we have health issues and we miss school for a certain amount of time? Then we’re punished for something out of our control.”

Another sudden policy change was the school’s opening time. Students are required to wait outside until the doors open at 7:05 unless the weather is unfavorable. This presented drawbacks apparent to students and faculty, such as the lack of safety and the limited time students are given prior to their first class.

“Our breakfast is shortened and some people are late when they try to get something to eat,” Quinton Watson said. “They should open the doors earlier.”

The only policy that seems to please the student body is the change of dress code. Principal Ronny Beard seemed to disagree with the rule concerning ripped jeans, claiming that the way students dress should not be an issue so long as it does not affect the way students learn. With this in mind, he chose to allow ripped jeans in school.

“When they changed the dress code, I really appreciated that,” Watson said.

The school has changed dramatically since last year, renumbering hallways, adopting more strict procedures and making it more difficult for students to take care of business without risking credit hours or their opportunity to walk the stage come graduation day. The students are learning to adapt to these new rules, but most are still somewhat

displeased.

“Things are a lot harder for us,” Watson said. “I wish things were the same as they were last year.”

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