A new security policy has recently been implemented. According to the security update posted by the school, from Monday, May 22nd, students cannot bring a backpack. They can only bring a lunch box/bag, laptop bags, and/or a purse that is 5 inches by 7 inches or smaller. Backpacks and bags will be confiscated and may be picked up by parents or guardians on Thursday June 8th.  Athletes have to arrange with their coaches on storing their athletic bags before school and picking them up after school. From May 30, the campus will have staff use metal detector wands for the rest of the school year. 

This policy has been affecting students in different ways and has caused mixed feelings to arise throughout the school.  

“Honestly, I wouldn’t think it would prevent anything bad from happening,” senior Isac Hernandez said. “At the end of the day, if someone wants to do something they would do it anyway.”  

Isac believes that the policy is redundant, and students can find alternative ways to conceal inappropriate items. 

“I think it’s a little pointless and I think it’s late at this time of the year,” Isac said. “I think if we did its earlier people would be better adjusted to it.”   

Students are not adjusted to the policy right away because of its abrupt introduction near the end of the year.  Isac sees it as a last minute endeavor.  

“I have been struggling because I haven’t been able to bring as many things for my classes,“ Isac said. “I really needed a binder for my calculus class. It just feels really limited in what I could carry.”  

Students cannot hold as much stuff compared to what a backpack could, which creates issues for them in class.  

“I guess I could see it help a little bit,” Isac said. “But at the end of the day, if there’s a will there’s a way. There’s not really a lot preventing people to do stuff to this school.”   

Many students think the policy won’t prevent anything from ever happening.    

“I personally think that metal detectors could work,” Isac said. “But it makes me wonder how many times a person would have to take out their phone and keys and any other metallic objects. It would take up a lot of time if people were to repeatedly go through this process in my opinion.”   

Isac has positive views on the idea of metal detectors, however, he believes they are time-consuming and repetitive.  

“I’ve been carrying my shorts to the gym and carrying stuff in a bag,” junior Jason Meza said. “I think it’s just a punishment. We should have metal detectors with normal bags.”   

Jason has resentment towards the policy.  He has alternative ways to carry his items. he thinks it’s a punishment because it is not deserved for students to deal with this issue.  In his opinion, to solve the problem, there should be metal detectors to detect unacceptable items.  

“I think it’s silly,” sophomore Roberto Pedraza said. “I do understand that people are going to do something silly at the end of the year, but I don’t feel like it’s needed.”   

Roberto thinks the policy lacks common sense and thinks that the other students shouldn’t have to pay for someone else’s mistakes.   

“I can carry most of my important stuff but, I can’t really carry my art supplies as I like to draw in class,” Roberto said.    

Students can’t hold as many school materials as they do without a backpack.    

“Just check our backpack, see what we have, and just let us in,” Roberto said.