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New safety procedures go into effect at RHS
IDs, clear backpacks, and more measures have come to the high school in an effort to protect students and staff on a daily basis
BILLIE FORD Staff Reporter
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Starting the second semester of the 20222023 school year Ritenour implemented a set of new safety protocols, to “help make the High School a safe learning environment.”
Students coming back from winter break were introduced to a number of rules that were new to Ritenour, and some that have not been enforced in so long that the students who were in attendance at the time they were enforced are now long graduated.
Students and parents were officially notified four days before the first rule was put into effect.
There were six new rules that were implemented after winter break. All students and faculty members must wear their ID’s around the neck or clipped to their shirts above the waist. All students have specific assigned doors for building entry during school arrival. The high school is encouraging all students to use lockers to store personal belongings. All students are required to use clear or mesh backpacks. The safety team will be conducting safety screening with metal detecting wands during school arrival and at some school events, and ski masks and gator face masks will no longer be allowed in the building. Only medical grade/ style paper face masks are acceptable.
Ritenour High School principal Dr. Jana Haywood said that there were many different things that prompted
Story continues see NEW RULES on p. 6
In 2023 alone, there have already been a total of 72 mass shootings as of February 15. There have been an average of over 600 mass shootings per year since 2020, compared to an average of 200-500 from 2014-2019. As a result of these increasing numbers, people are starting to see more safety precautions in areas where large numbers of people gather, including schools.
The shooting at Central Visual Performing Arts on October 24, 2022 was just another specific and close to home reminder that no community is immune from such activities.
Many Ritenour High School students and staff had already been worried that a similar event would occur in our building. Even though the new safety rules that were implemented at Ritenour were not created specifically due to the occurrence at CVPA, they have still helped the community feel much safer.
“It was hard going back to school knowing what could have happened to us and how important our safety measures here at Ritenour are and how they shouldn’t be taken lightly in any way,” senior Kyla Williams said. With the rising occurrences of violence at any location with a large amount of people, conversations and actions to ensure safety have been more common everywhere in the community. Many concerts have similar safety protocols to these new additions in our own building. Many of the students have had experiences with said safety protocols. Junior Megan Weisz has found these to be very effective in her own personal experiences.
“Most venues don’t allow bags at all or they check them, along with none bigger than 12 inches,” Weisz said.
At Busch Stadium, Cardinal fans must pass through metal detectors before entering the arena and pass many police officers throughout their time at the game.
“These safety protocols help those people feel at ease and allow them to enjoy the game, so even though I don't feel unsafe and I have to wait an extra 20 minutes in line, it is worth it if the person next to me can feel safe as well,” junior Samantha Lohnes said. While there are controversies regarding the new rules at RHS, Williams understands why they’re so important after seeing so many instances of mass shootings in the news.
“Although many may
Story continues see SAFETY on p. 6
Cafeteria extension and weight room are being built
Construction has hit the high school as the final pieces of Proposition S are being completed
PEYTON HOUSE Staff Reporter
Ritenour High School is making some major changes to the building, including a brand new weight room, an extension to the cafeteria, as well as a new office for the athletic trainer.
The changes come as a result of Proposition S, a $19.5 million zero tax rate change bond issue that was accepted by voters on June 2, 2020. Some of the work connected to the proposition has already been completed, but the cafeteria and weight room construction began as students returned from winter break.
While students are excited, it has caused some congestion in the hallways.
“The blocked off part of the building is pretty annoying, but I heard we’re getting a bigger cafeteria and new weight room which is pretty cool,” sophomore Calli Hodges said.
Athletic trainer Taylor Kuehl believes that her new location will allow better access to the athletes and the athletic office.
“I am really looking forward to my new office which will be across the hall from the new weight room.
I have been coordinating with Mr. Lohnes and Mr. Laskowski about what my new athletic training room will look like. I think it will be a great space that will allow me to treat more athletes efficiently, and having the opportunity to help design the space I will be working in is exciting,” Kuehl said.
Though there are many positives to these upcoming changes there are some current negatives. Students are having some strong opinions about these route changes getting to classes claiming how much longer certain trips take.
“These blockages are really annoying, but I get that they’re necessary. The most harm these blockages add to a detour is a minute which, don’t get me wrong, may not seem like a lot, but it is when you only have five minutes to get across the building,” junior Drake Robinson said.
Many athletes and coaches are looking forward to a new and improved weight room.
“The new weight room is going to be a great space for students to exercise as the new weight room will be spacious and state of the art,” Coach Rick Shelton said.
Math teacher and former basketball coach Jason Graves says that staff has been advocating for this weight room update for a long time.
“As an ex coach, we have been advocating for an updated weight room since I got here back in 2000, and I also advocated for varsity locker rooms for sports teams,” Graves said.
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