Cook County News Herald

New school policies and procedures have school community talking




The ISD 166 superintendent’s facebook page was busy the first week of school. New policies and procedures were in place at Cook County High School. Some students and parents did not like them, while some parents defended them.

Security at the Eagle doors

Some of the facebook discussion regarded having to get buzzed into the inner set of Eagle doors – now the only access to the school for students and the public. Superintendent Beth Schwarz wrote, “…The first set of doors is unlocked so anyone can get into the vestibule between the two sets of doors. … There is a transaction window to the left. Parents and other visitors simply check in. If there is a need to come into the building they are given a visitor’s badge and ‘buzzed’ in. It’s really pretty slick.”

“I think in light of all the school shootings this is a great thing,” wrote one parent. “While it may not be easy for all involved, I applaud the school for putting the children’s safety first.”

“…In light of what has happened over the years,” wrote another parent, “wouldn’t you rather be safe than sorry? Times have changed. They are not what they were and we all just need to accept it and carry on and do the best we can with the changes.”

One parent wrote, “I had to go to the school for a thing that would have taken me five minutes but it took longer with signing in and out. …The bumps will get out; it was the first day. …If something were to happen to the kids at the school, then there would be criticism on why didn’t we do something!”

Exercise at lunchtime

Another issue was a requirement that middle school students sit at a table in the lunchroom during the entire 30-minute lunch period except for when they get up to return their lunch trays.

“The lunchroom situation is not a good one,” wrote one parent. “It’s extremely loud and I’m told you can’t hear the person next to you talk, plus not being able to move or stand. Our kids sit all day in class and they need to move around. How can we expect them to act like responsible young adults when we treat them like infants?”

“Kids are kids and cannot be expected to sit inside all day long under cover of guards,” one parent wrote.

One parent mentioned the fact that middle school students could not mingle freely during lunch and would need a pass to use the bathroom. “Lunch at that age should be a social break time,” she wrote. “If they need 15-20 minutes of fresh air after eating, they should be able to go outside. Put up a fence if they need ‘security.’

“It used to be that you couldn’t leave school grounds until ninth grade for lunch, now it’s only 11th-12th, and the rest of them can’t even go outside? That’s nuts. I hope none of the teachers or faculty are allowed outside either in that case.”

“They can’t even stand up?” wrote one parent. “I understand the importance of keeping our kids safe, but at what cost? The cafeteria is much too small to coop a large number of people in. …I believe strongly that everyone needs time to move about during a 7+-hour day. It is common sense.

“Let’s be the school that gets our kids outside and moving! I would be happy to attend meetings regarding this important subject and volunteer during the school day. Healthy, happy kids are paramount to our community!”

“It’s a super long day for kids to be cooped up,” wrote another parent. “If our kids get on the bus at 6:30 a.m. and have indoor sports after school, they often don’t get but a breath of fresh air or see the sunlight in the winter. I encourage concerned parents and students to meet [and] bring your concerns to the school board to see what can be done.

“…I do know the school board, teachers and superintendent want our students to be happy and healthy. They know there are millions of studies out there about how physical exercise and time spent in nature are necessary, beneficial and help kids emotionally and academically.”

One middle school football player asked if he could practice throwing to the team’s receivers in preparation for an upcoming game. Superintendent Schwarz asked the student to talk to Principal Adam Nelson about it, which he did. He said Mr. Nelson told him “he would think about it.”

Off-campus lunch

Another discussion regarded juniors and seniors being allowed to go off campus for lunch but not being able to get back inside the building until three minutes before their next class. “This locking all the kids out of the school during lunch thing is absolutely ridiculous,” wrote one student. “Totally stupid, so I better see some changes.”

Superintendent Schwarz wrote, “…We have ‘open lunch’ for juniors and seniors. As you know, schools across the country have been trying to determine the best way to deal with securing buildings. Our building is locked from 8:05-3:40 every student day. When juniors/seniors leave for lunch we are requesting they remain out for the entire time and not [be] coming and going throughout the 30 minutes. This way they can all be ‘buzzed in’ at the warning bell.”

One student stated that about 20 students were waiting to be let back in at the end of the lunch period on the first day of school. “…What do they expect us to do during the winter?” she wrote. “This school is losing it.”

The superintendent responded by saying that students won’t be stuck outside in cold or rainy weather because they can wait in the vestibule.

One parent lamented the fact that students would not be allowed to return from lunch early “to reorganize their thoughts and materials.” Another parent said that her daughter might need the lunch period to meet with teachers, use the Internet, or do homework on a computer. Superintendent Schwarz responded by saying that students could do these things with teacher permission and that high school students could study out in the commons area outside the lunchroom during lunch. “…All they need to do is request a pass from the teacher and they will be able to leave the lunchroom/ commons area,” she wrote.

“Times have changed, and unfortunately to keep our kids safer we must make their environment safer,” wrote one CCHS grad. “Why do kids need to leave campus anyways — it’s 30 minutes — besides for the few to get away and smoke? Please don’t tell me they don’t, ‘cause I know some do. I think a good compromise would be to open up the gym so the kids aren’t stuck in the lunchroom the whole time, if the gym is available. Thanks, ISD 166, for all you’ve done so far. You all have worked really hard and I am sure things will settle down a bit as the first week of school starts to wind down.”

Superintendent Schwarz wrote that Principal Nelson had met with the juniors and seniors and that a compromise had been reached. Students in the lunchroom or returning from outside were given five minutes instead of three to do what they needed to do before their afternoon classes. “I realize we are still building trust; all we ask for is a little patience,” she wrote. “We really do care very much about your children/our students!”

The superintendent’s facebook page is called Cook County School District, ISD 166, Superintendent Spot.



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