To the dismay of many students, Jones administration has decided to crack down on the entire school – enforcing rules that have long been forgotten as well as creating new ones. Beginning at the start of the current school year, administration and security has had no tolerance for students roaming the building without an ID around their neck to prove, in fact, that they really are students attending this school. Not only that, but they have also made it a point that people can no longer enjoy the privilege of wearing their hats around the building. Both of these rules have confused and frustrated experienced students who thought they already knew the ins-and-outs of Jones policy.

“It took me by surprise,” explained Jack Bonney ‘17, “I really enjoy wearing hats, and I can say without hesitation that I wear one pretty much every day. So when I started getting detentions for wearing them or even worse, having them confiscated, I was devastated.”

This element of surprise that was coupled with the rule is what, even three months into the school year, is making the rules a very tough pill to swallow.

“I don’t see how it has become an issue in the eyes of the students,” argued new Assistant Principal Eric Mitchell. “From what I know, the rules have been around this whole time, they just haven’t been enforced as heavily by staff until now.”

When it comes to having a genuine stake in these rules, consistency throughout the staff’s opinion is spotty at best.

“I don’t even mind when kids wear their hats around the hallways. It’s just kids being kids, wanting to look good and have their fun,” explains security guard Rodolfo Gonzalez. “There are more critical problems for me to worry about as someone here to protect all of [the students].”

Mitchell disagrees: “Any rule that is enforced has a purpose – the hat rule is to keep up the integrity of the students here, added to the fact that people shouldn’t wear their hats in any building regardless. The IDs serve as a protection for everyone in the school, they aren’t just for the students to keep them in line. Even I’m wearing mine right now,” says Mitchell, pointing to the lanyard around his neck.

Although students don’t necessarily like the ID enforcement, they can understand where people like Mitchell are coming from.

“I hate the rule but I get that wearing an ID can help to keep us safe,” said Adrian Huerta ‘16. “It’s better for us all to have them on rather than a potentially dangerous stranger wandering into the building.”

Security guard Margaret Hug believes that students should just be compliant. “It isn’t really the place of students to question something like this, that’s only meant to benefit everyone. We aren’t just being mean and controlling, it’s our job to make and enforce rules that you may not like, but will keep you out of harm’s way.”