Dylan Cleland, Editor in Chief and Niki McClure, Managing Editor
Renovations to Penn-Trafford High School provided a new and improved version of the old library for student use. The library, now called the media center, opened last year and started this year as a place for socialization, group collaboration and technology-oriented work.
Administration recently issued a change of rules that limits time allowed in the media center and reserves the right to remove individuals who are not working.
Rightfully, students have not responded well to the new rule as many find this to be an ineffective move by the administration.
The social aspect of the media center was created by the atmosphere set by the design of the room. Psychologically, students see the couches and television screens in the media center and their declarative memory then recalls experiences of customs and actions associated with similar environments- providing an appropriate behavior for the situation.
In other words, behaviors of the students were only encouraged by being placed in this situation. They were recalling previous experiences that include a relaxed mood.
The atmosphere created by the administration and the design of Lobar Inc, the contractor that P-T used for renovations should have considered multiple factors. Placing students from ages 14-18 in such an environment most likely would encourage relaxation and socialization. Additionally, TVs and couches are usually associated with relaxation and social engagements rather than school work. Finally, original resources such as hardback books which could have been an inspiration to students remaining focused solely on work are now very limited.
Therefore, The Warrior believes the idea of having focused work and study time from all of the students should not have been an expectation.
A large amount of money was put into the construction of the media center from the spendings on the renovation. To get the most out of anything that costs a lot of money, the idea is to use it more often. It should not matter if students are socializing or working in the library, as long as they are abiding by the rules, behaving and utilizing the space.
However, the new rules on attendance in the media center contradict that idea.
The amount of students in the school was known before the construction started, including the amount of study halls and average number of students within the study halls. Too many students in the media center during study halls should not be the reason for limiting the time students can spend there if capacity and use were known factors before the space was created.
A survey by PBS found that 75 percent of all teachers use some form of technology in their classrooms. Specifically here at PTHS, the recent addition of multiple Google Chromebook carts and a complete switch to Google Drive and its programs further supports why the use of the media center should not be restricted. Students will have assignments, projects or presentations due in a majority of there classes that demand the regular use of a computer, internet or a printer.
Not every student has access to all of this at home, nor do only two 40-minute study hall periods a week provide enough time for students to complete all work necessary. This also includes the opportunity for students to work on group projects together if meeting after school together is a problem.
We acknowledge the exception to the rule: a teacher can write a student a pass for specific work that needs done beyond the designated two days. However, it will be difficult for teachers to decipher whether the student is going to use that library time reasonably. With immature teenagers throughout the school, who is going to follow students to the media center and watch over them to make sure they are going to the room to study, as they told their study hall teacher. With the behaviors of students in the past have shown the distrust and actions against policy, therefore it would be difficult for teachers and the staff to know what student reasons are justifiable.
It should also be noted that students have had inappropriate, disruptive and even destructive behaviors in the media center since it opened last school year. These behaviors are unacceptable and go against all policies at the high school. However, the Warrior’s stance is that the entire student body should not be punished for the actions of some.
A reasonable solution at this point should be a closer monitoring of students. Allow everyone an opportunity to utilize the media center without such a rigid system. When they abuse the privilege, remove the student and do not let them return. Eliminate second and third chances, and require those students to stay in their study hall for the remainder of the semester.
Students should at least have the opportunity to responsibly go to the media center during any study hall on any given day of the week, Monday through Friday, without any complex processes.