On Wednesday, November twenty second, the RMHS staff will begin a ten year improvement process by giving a survey to all students asking what about the school they enjoy and what they think can be improved. While the process starts with a simple survey, it is a detailed, multi-step plan which aims to improve the school in as many ways as possible. Administration starts by asking the students for feedback, so I decided to do the same and ask some students what changes they would like to see in RMHS.
Many of the answers seemed to cater to the convenience of the students, which is to be expected, but what I found is that most of these improvements are easier said than done. For example, the most popular response to the question “What is one thing you would improve or you wish would change about RMHS?” was having an open campus. The majority of students I asked claimed that people who have their license should be able to leave school grounds during studies or lunch block. While this is a good idea, and would make the majority of upperclassmen very happy, there are serious questioned to be asked about this process. How would faculty keep track of students coming and going? What if some students abuse this privilege and don’t return to the school? What if an underclassman leaves the school with an upperclassman? The idea is simple, and most students want an open campus simply to run to Dunks and return back in time for their next class, but there are uncertainties to every change.
One student said that they wished library passes were unlimited, than anyone could go during their study. As a student who has missed out on having a pass to the library on multiple occasions, I understand the want for this change. It makes sense that students should be able to use every facility their school has to offer, to meet up with lab partners during their study without having to worry about not getting a pass in time. The only problem with this is that if every student is able to go to the library, than every student is going to want to. The library does not have enough space for all students in each study to comfortably do their work, especially with other classes using the computers and labs. The more people who go, the louder it gets, and it would not be a quiet place to study for those who need it. Unlimited library passes sounds nice, but just like an open campus, there are problems that can arise from it.
Other changes students wish to see are ones that are more student-based. One student wishes that people would take better care of the building and not treat it so poorly, while another wishes the student body had more school spirit. These things are both positive changes that would make the school an even better place than it already is, but can administration really make these things happen? Yes, they could have more “spirit weeks” or pep rallies or events like those, but can anyone really make someone else have more spirit? And even though every student signs a contract at the beginning of the year stating that they will treat the building with respect, graffiti somehow still gets on the bathroom walls and gum on the bottom of chairs.
Changes and improvements are great; every school must adapt with its student body and create the most ideal environment for kids to learn. But are the changes that students are wishing for realistic? Will administration be able to make them happen? Or will they need to help of the students of RMHS to make this school the best it can be?