Talawanda’s Unwritten Rule Book

Think of a time when you were in school and encountered the actions of another student that baffled you, perhaps with disgust or shock. When it wasn’t necessarily an offensive or disrespectful behavior, but was certainly still condemnable for the sake of society. Most every high school student has witnessed the unnecessary slow-walkers, rotunda PDA, or someone who doesn’t understand how the main stairs work (and if you don’t know what I’m talking about, you’re either guilty of these crimes, or a freshman, or both).

Of course, though, these expectations are not listed in the student handbook, but ought to be accepted as general human decency, even by staff members. “If you jam the copier, don’t leave it for someone else to deal with,” said science teacher Scott Schmid. “Fix it.”

Another assumed part of the high school system is the natural hierarchy of upperclassmen, which was shared by juniors Kharlyn Morgan and Corrynn Decker on the subject of sporting events. “Tailgating before football games is normally only juniors and seniors, and underclassmen usually do not come,” Decker said. As well, “Seniors always speak first in class,” Morgan said.

Still, among the salty humor, there are still serious and comprehensive issues being processed. English teacher Christene Alfonsi said, “I think that highschool is often a place where people don’t think being smart is cool, and I think it’s kind of an unwritten rule at Talawanda that smart kids are really cool; students respect other students that are smart.”

So, in conclusion, we at the Talawanda Tribune have compiled an overall list of the most essential rules to remember when navigating a day at school:
 

• Please, educate yourself on which side of the hallway/staircase is to be walked on. Up the right of the staircase, down on the right. Also, stay on the right of the hallway. If you must stop walking, please kindly move to the side.

• Keep public displays of affection to a minimum, and in the appropriate spaces (hint: the wall of the rotunda is not the appropriate space).

• If a student is clearly struggling — in the hallways or classrooms — do what you can to help. No one wants to gather their dropped papers in the middle of the floor while people are walking all over them. Take fifteen seconds to help someone out.

• When you mess something up, let someone know. Everyone is going to jam a printer or spill coffee on their papers at some point. Be honest with people and they’ll be a lot less annoyed than if you don’t tell them.

• Don’t be afraid to show emotion, about anything. It’s okay to be excited about a book you’re reading. It’s okay to be stressed about your test. It’s okay to show some school spirit. It’s okay to be a real person.