You may have heard some buzz about updated school rules for the spring semester of 2025. Many of these rules have been set in place for a while now; however, the consequences for breaking said rules have become more strict. Students at BJHS understand the “main idea” of most rules, but do they realize the severity of the consequences? School administration held second semester class meetings to go over the expectations and rules with their updated consequences.

      The new rules/consequences include the following:

• Do not open exterior doors or let anyone inside the building
• Do not prop open outside doors
• Food can not be delivered to the school
• Cell phones are not to be used during instruction or during bathroom breaks
• Vape/vape product possession on campus or at extracurriculars results in 5 days ISS, 5 days OSS, and 25 days Alternative School (first offense)
• Fighting on campus or at extracurriculars results in 5 days ISS, 5 days OSS, and 25 days Alternative School (first offense)

These enforced rules benefit students’ education and safety, but some students feel the rules are too much. For example, Junior Hannah Ventigan said, “I understand the [reason] for ‘no vaping’ and not opening exterior doors for anyone…but I think the consequences for it are so extra.” Similarly, Junior Darci Kilpatrick said, “I see why the school would want to have these rules, but I think they’ve introduced too many new things at one time, so it’s stressing students out.”

In contrast to the negative opinions of students regarding the rules and consequences, some parents of BJHS students seem to enjoy them. Specifically, one father said, “I understand, and agree with most of the rules put in place. I think the consequences need to be extreme in order for kids to not disobey them.”  Likewise, a mother agreed, “I am for the rules! It should be common sense. I think the consequences for vaping are a bit much, but I, in no way, condone physical violence. Discipline, when it comes to fighting, should be strict.”

As a student attending Bob Jones High School, what are your thoughts and opinions? Are the rules and expectations reasonable? Should the consequences be toned down or maybe more strict? Do you think the rules actually have any effect on students’ behavior?