<p>The bathroom situation at my S's school got so out of hand last year (lots of smoking...cigarettes and "other", fights,fires in trash cans, kids just going to hang out and get out of class) that a new rule was put in place. Anyone needing to leave class to go to the bathroom had to wait for the teacher to make a call to the office and then be escorted to the bathroom and back to class by a security guard. Kids hated it. Parents were up in arms but it did quell some of the mayhem taking place in the bathrooms.</p>
<p>In my school, one can walk out of class at any point (tests and quizzes excepted) without even asking the teacher. Nobody abuses the system. It's nice to be treated like an adult sometimes.</p>
<p>Wow Packmom! My son has never seen a student even smoking anywhere in his high school, although he says that they do smoke outside.</p>
<p>While I subbed a class, 5 girls got up and started to walk out. When I asked them where they were going, they said they were going to the bathroom. They said that their teacher doesn't require them to ask and lets them go "in groups". I checked and found out that was TRUE. How crazy is that???? I didn't let them go in groups!!!! (And I left a note for the teacher suggesting that she cease with that silly permissiveness.) I could just imagine these girls standing in front of the mirrors doing each others' hair and make up -- during class time!!!</p>
<p>Yes,northeastmom, it does sound bad doesn't it? Unfortunately it is true and our school is one of the better ones in our system! S avoids the bathrooms because it's better not to walk in on some of the "activities" that take place. S is not a scared little kid either. He weighs over 200lbs. and is the starting DE on the football team! It's just best to avoid the situation and wait until he gets to the locker room!<br>
We had a very weak principal last year who seemed intimidated by the "rougher" element. We have a new one this year (a woman!) who has really cracked down on the behavior problems....things are getting better.</p>