10 Questions
Why have school districts across the country started restricting bathroom use?
Due to concerns about bullying, violence, and vaping problems in restrooms.
What safety measures have Texas districts implemented to address vaping issues in schools?
Installed vape sensors to monitor air quality and catch vaping students.
Why did some school administrators close restrooms at North Stafford High School in Virginia?
Due to a vaping problem.
What vandalism trend led to the closure of several school bathrooms last year?
A TikTok trend that encouraged students to vandalize and steal paper towel dispensers and fire alarms.
Why is Ribeiro advocating for a systemic approach to the problems in school bathrooms?
To address issues such as vaping, marijuana smell, and reports of students overdosing in restrooms.
What measures have administrators at Julius West Middle School implemented to monitor student restroom use?
Students carry around a paper that teachers have to sign each time they go to the restroom, with a cap on the number of times they can leave class per quarter.
Describe the open restroom design proposed by Eckstein for Montgomery schools.
The open restroom design features private toilet stalls with floor-to-ceiling doors and walls, an open hand-washing area visible from the hallways, no urinals, and open access for all genders.
How does the open restroom design differ from traditional restroom layouts?
The open restroom design has private stalls but an open hand-washing area visible to the hallways, no urinals, and is accessible to all genders.
What is the purpose of administrators regularly checking the bathrooms throughout school buildings?
To monitor and ensure safety, deter inappropriate behavior, and maintain cleanliness.
How does the open restroom design at Saint Paul Public Schools in Minnesota aim to address the issue of inappropriate behavior?
The design is constantly monitored, serves as a deterrent by eliminating congregating spaces, and provides visibility due to the open hand-washing area.
Study Notes
School Bathroom Safety Issues
- School bathrooms have become common sites for bullying, violence, vaping, and drug use, with students taking advantage of the lack of adult supervision.
- In Montgomery County, students have found shooting threats on bathroom walls, Percocet residue, and swastikas drawn in stalls.
- Some students have been caught vaping, fighting, vandalizing equipment, and taking drugs in bathrooms, making them one of the least safe places on campus.
Parent and Student Concerns
- Parents are concerned about the lack of systemwide response to the behavior, which has increased in scope and severity.
- Students are avoiding using bathrooms altogether, choosing to wait until they're home instead.
School Responses
- Some schools have started locking certain bathrooms during the day, making it difficult for students to find an open restroom.
- Montgomery County school system has announced a detailed safety plan, including adding more security staff, forming a "Safety and Security and Student Well-being Advisory Group," and hosting community sessions about ongoing safety issues.
- Julius West Middle School has implemented a system where students carry a paper that teachers have to sign when they go to the restroom, with a cap on how many times they can use it to leave class for the bathroom each quarter.
Alternative Solutions
- An open restroom design, where toilet stalls are private but the hand-washing area is open and visible to the hallways, has been suggested as a possible solution to reduce congregating and misbehavior in bathrooms.
- This design has been implemented in schools like Saint Paul Public Schools in Minnesota.
Test your knowledge on the safety concerns in school bathrooms. From shooting threats to vandalism and drug use, learn about the challenges students face in these spaces.
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