The administration shifted the Jetnasium policy to enhance the safety and well-being of students and ensure equal play time among middle and high schoolers for the 25-26 school year. From 12:25 p.m. to 12:50 p.m., high school students use the gym, and the middle schoolers use it for the remainder of recess. Students also must not enter the gym until the duty teacher arrives.
Previously, secondary students shared the Jetnasium during lunch recess. However, as Willette said, “there was a large population of students in the gym, making conditions dangerous.”
The faculty also voiced concern for students’ well-being, as the previous gym schedule led students to skip lunch.“Both middle school and high school students were either eating lunch quickly or not going to lunch because they wanted to play in the gym. That’s also another reason we decided to change the schedule,” said headmaster Mr. Jolly.
The administration also took into account equal play time for middle and high schoolers. “Teachers were noticing that middle school students were getting bullied out of their spots in the gym because high school students wanted to practice,” Dr. Willette said.
Despite the administration’s best intentions, the alteration brought on mixed opinions. “I think the new gym policy has its merits, but I honestly think it’s bad. Recess is good, especially for high schoolers not taking P.E., because it provides an hour of downtime and physical activity. If students have lunch clubs, then they won’t be able to have recess at all,” sophomore Hans Park said.
Middle schoolers also expressed their desire to play with the upperclassmen. ”Playing with high schoolers is a great opportunity to grow our skills. As an eighth grader, playing with lower grades doesn’t improve my skills,” said eighth-grader Elly Song.
Nonetheless, other students deem it safer than previous conditions. “I’m not sure if I want to go back to the old policy because there were too many people in the gym,” senior Chris Ryu said. “Last year, when my friends and I played basketball, balls were flying over my face, so there was a potential of getting injured.”
Teachers also echo the same sentiment. “I think, in terms of safety, this is the smart way to go because it’s fewer bodies in the gym, and one of the biggest reasons people get hurt is because it’s too crowded. I think it’s really safe that they need to wait until adults are there in case anything would happen,” secondary English teacher Ms. Loutsch said.
Overall, this shift marks the faculty’s commitment to safety and equity among middle and high schoolers. “We are trying to support each other. Please, if you have questions about what’s going on in school, come and talk to me. I’m always open and I like to hear from the students and we are trying to make a better school for all of us,” Dr. Willette said.
