In efforts to keep students in the classroom during class time, hallway sweeps were implemented on October 18. Through this initiative, students are required to have an official hall pass when not in class. If they are found without one during class time, they may be issued an hour-long pass. 

According to Dean Tim Dykes, “From 8/11 (first day of school) to 10/15, 85 detentions were issued (average of 1.85 per school day). From 10/18 through 11/08, 258 detentions were issued (average of 16.13 per school day).”

While the average number of detentions issued over that period had increased, some administrators noticed a decline in the detentions they issued each day. 

“After the first couple of days, those numbers (detentions issued) went down across the board,” Dean Cesar Rosales said. “It started with five detentions day 1 for me, and days 2 and 3 were like two, but by the time we got to Friday, if I gave one, it was rare.”

With the increase in average detentions issued, hallway security officers have noticed that in general, students are beginning to stay in class if they don’t have a hall pass. 

“There aren’t as many kids in the hallways as there used to be and more have hallway passes,” security officer Ms. Baker said.

Security officer Ms. Wilson has also noticed a change in behavior among students. “They’re more cooperative now than they were before,” Wilson said.

While administrators and security officers have seen a decrease in unauthorized hallway walkers, some students believe that while the sweeps have deterred some students, others have and will continue to skip class. 

“I think, yes, it is working to some extent. However, those who were remaining in the hall and skipping class did not care about detentions in the first place,” junior Kunga Ngabtak said.

Other students have concerns about the leniency from those issuing detentions. 

“I have not fallen victim to the hallway sweeps yet, however, I know many people who have,” senior Jacob Berkowitz said. “I don’t have an issue with securities cracking up on tardiness, except I think there should still be leniency from prosecutors given that there may be many cases where students have a valid reason for being in the hall without a pass.”

Recently, another practice administrators are advising students to follow was described in an email sent out to students Nov. 30 from Rosales.

“Please note that beginning today (11/30), students who do not swipe in to their assigned study hall location will automatically have their attendance changed to “AU” (absence unexcused) at the end of that day and consequences may be issued,” Rosales said.