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 secondary principal Dr. 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.
Daniel • Sep 21, 2025 at 5:53 pm
What a great article about the complexities of gym policies :))))
Sola • Sep 21, 2025 at 10:08 am
Interesting policy! There’s pros and cons there but let’s see how it turns out 🙂 Hopefully for the better!
Mary Cho • Sep 18, 2025 at 12:04 am
I think its a great policy for both middle and and high schoolers.Great article!!
Ivy • Sep 17, 2025 at 7:30 pm
I personally think this policy for the gym is a great change for the school. This thinks more about people’s safety and their well-being. This also allows students to be more respectful to other people.
Alex • Sep 17, 2025 at 7:29 pm
I think the new policy for Jetnasium was a huge change, but I think it allows students to have more spacious gym where students are able to rest during recess. I really enjoy the new policy
Sean kim • Sep 17, 2025 at 7:28 pm
This was the change that was needed as it always felt too crowded in the gym and people could easily get hurt by getting hit by a ball. Seeing how people really get to play safely in the gym, this change seems to be great.
Mary • Sep 17, 2025 at 7:26 pm
I like new policy. Great photo.
Min Kim • Sep 17, 2025 at 7:25 pm
Thank you for making this new gym policy! I think that dividing the middle and high school recess made the gym calmer at times and safer for the students. This was a great addition to the school!
Aiden • Sep 17, 2025 at 7:22 pm
I think that this was a good change since the gym feels less crowded than before. However, students are now lining up 10 minutes early in front of the gym to play volleyball.
Minju Koo • Sep 17, 2025 at 7:20 pm
nice photo