Abby Laurie ‘26, Student Life Editor
In all schools, there are rules that students must follow, such as the dress code or staying off electronic devices. But here at SLHS, there are some rules that are not stated in our handbook that many students ignore and disrespect. These rules can help keep a steady flow of traffic, maintain a level of safety, and provide a clean environment.
The biggest rule in SLHS that many students ignore rather consistently is hallway etiquette. When walking in the hallway, you should not walk slowly, cut in front of other students, randomly stop, or walk on the left side of the hall. All of these impede the flow of traffic, making it frustrating for students who are just trying to get from class to class with ease and without major disruption. If you want to meet up with friends during passing time, you should move to an area that is not in the center of traffic. Find a place, such as the commons, benches, or seats in the stairwells where you can interact and socialize without being in the way of others. Furthermore, many students often walk in a group of friends. Whether it is groups of two, three, or more, you should not be blocking the entire hall so that people walking on the other side of the hall can not pass. Lastly, when entering the stairs, go through the door that is on the right side of the hall, even if the other door is open. Students who are often on the right side of the hall can not go through the door due to people entering the door on the wrong side, blocking entrance to the stairwell.
At lunch, there are a couple unspoken rules designated for the commons. For starters, once you pick a seat or table, that is where you sit for the rest of the year. It is easier to remember, and it is respectful to other students in the lunch room. Nobody wants to find their table taken by others and have to find another seat or table at which to sit every day. Additionally, although we have lunch monitors, you should always be keeping your area clean, as it respects the lunch monitors. Just because we have lunch monitors, it does not mean that it is okay to destroy the area around your seat. If you spill something or leave a lot of crumbs, you are leaving this mess for the people who sit at the same table in the next lunch period. The table will become sticky and dirty, which will be uncomfortable to eat your lunch at. And even though the lunch monitors are there, they cannot get to every lunch table within the short amount of passing time, nor should they have to. It is also important to remember that cutting in line for food breaches lunchroom etiquette. Everyone is trying to get their lunch and sit down, so waiting your turn ensures fair and respectable processes for all; there will be enough food for everyone, so just wait like everybody else.
One of the most important rules that ensures students’ safety is learning how to drive in the student parking lot and acquiescing to the rules laid out by SLHS’s specific parking lot set up. Before pulling out of your parking spot, you should look to make sure there are no students or passing cars that you could potentially hit. Then, after pulling out of your space, be patient and let other students out as well. When you get to the major intersections of the parking lot, you always let one car go before you pull out. Being impatient, entitled, or discourteous can lead to more danger than simply waiting for just a couple seconds. It is important to remember that everyone is trying to leave and keeping orderly fashion will allow for a smoother ride home.
Lastly, a big rule that follows the act of respect towards other students is absolutely no public displays of affection (PDA). Many students find PDA to be uncomfortable, and it is not pleasing to see when you are just trying to get through the school day. School is for students to learn, and PDA can be distracting, which detracts students from educational focus.
Adhering to these unspoken rules allows for a more respectable, safe, and efficient school environment. By practicing good hallway etiquette, maintaining cleanliness in the commons, prioritizing safety in the parking lot, and showing restraint with PDA, students can contribute to a more positive and productive atmosphere at SLHS.
Lyon Life 