Five minutes. That’s all students have to navigate crowded hallways, get through doors, cross the parking lot, and, if they’re lucky, use the bathroom. For many at Central High, the current passing period policy feels less like a transition and more like a race against the clock.
“I barely make it to class on time, and I park right outside,” says senior, Michael Joseph. “If traffic’s backed up or the doors aren’t unlocked, I’m already late before I even step inside.”
Students like Jordan Lee and Jesse Shepherd echo the concern, pointing to the AI-generated one-minute warning, a loud, jarring announcement that’s meant to help but often triggers panic. “It’s like a countdown to detention,” Lee jokes, “but it’s not funny when you’re sprinting across campus.”
Teachers are feeling the strain, too. Mr. Russell, who teaches business, notes that the switch from electronic tardy tracking to paper passes has slowed everything down. “Last year, we could log in tardies easily on the computer. Now we’re fumbling with slips and signatures.” This
has made many teachers feel as though they were taking a step backwards, several referring to the process jokingly as an “ancient” and “prehistoric” way of keeping track of students.
Melinda Martin, the school’s librarian, adds, “Some students don’t need their hand held when they go to the bathroom. I get it with a few of them, but not all of you.”
Back when we had the electronic passes, there was also a no-pass list, full of students who abused bathroom privileges. These students were the “select few” who would be escorted to the bathroom by an admin, but now, it’s every student.
The bathroom policy adds another layer of frustration. Students are allowed only three passes per semester, each requiring an admin escort. But according to multiple students, administrators often don’t show up, leaving them stuck and penalized.
For student drivers, the stakes are even higher. Three tardies equal a detention, regardless of whether the delay was due to traffic, safety concerns, or locked doors. “I’m not trying to be late,” says Jordan Lee. “I’m trying not to get hit in the parking lot.”
The five-minute passing period may seem like a minor detail in the grand scheme of school policy, but for students and teachers alike, it’s a daily stressor that some feel erodes focus, fairness, and well-being. Between locked doors, traffic delays, and limited bathroom access, the current system feels more punitive than practical to many.
As frustrations mount and tardies turn into detentions, students are asking a simple question: Are we being set up to fail? Teachers, too, are calling for smarter solutions, ones that reflect the realities of campus life and respect the time it takes to move, breathe, and learn. This isn’t just about minutes on a clock. It’s about creating a school culture that values empathy over efficiency and recognizes that sometimes, the best way to move forward may be to take a step back.
