Recently, AUSD implemented new restroom procedures, including a one-in-one-out policy, and JMMS has had to adapt our own procedures regarding restrooms. In an effort to curb student misuse of the school restrooms, to alleviate students leaving class (and instruction) for non essential visits to the restroom to visit friends, or to take “breaks” from class, one student at a time will be permitted to use the facilities at each open restroom. To accommodate this new policy, JMMS has added hours to some supervision staff to allow for close monitoring of the schools restrooms.
There is understandable concern about restroom wait times. For most of the school day, multiple restrooms are available for students. Besides the two general use restrooms, the school also offers a multi-gender restroom, and in emergencies, students are permitted to use the restroom in the school Health Office. We have already seen wait times reduced, and some teachers have reported that they noticed an immediate reduction in non essential requests to visit the bathrooms.
We will continue to monitor the restroom procedures and over time the procedures will be revisited as necessary, and we will continue to make adaptations to ensure students can access the facilities quickly, so they may return to class, and not miss instructional time.
