Throughout the school, it is common to see some teachers being much more lenient and others being more strict regarding CHS rules. The guidelines on dress code, the use of electronic devices during class time, and the requirements for obtaining and maintaining an off-campus pass are not clearly laid out to the students. Some rules and policies leave CHS students puzzled and unaware of what is expected on campus, making it harder for them to follow rules that they do not completely understand or in some cases, do not even know exist. These guidelines need to be clearly stated and consistently enforced by the administration to make high school a less stressful environment, along with eliminating unnecessary tension between staff and students.

One rule at CHS that is not regularly enforced is the dress code. It seems as if some days certain outfits are acceptable and other days, they are not. Students are often confused when they are reprimanded for wearing an outfit one day and not being penalized the next. If CHS is going to have a strict dress code that the students are expected to follow, the rules must be implemented consistently. The administration needs to carry out the dress code fairly every time a student wears something prohibited. This ensures that they will be more likely to actually follow the dress code and will know what they are allowed to wear.

The rules regarding the use of technology in class are also not clearly laid out. Many students have found it useful to access the Wi-Fi on campus in order to get work done. There are many teachers that allow students to use technological devices for research projects and to complete assignments in classrooms. The CHS student handbook does not have any rules specifying when students are allowed to use these devices. It is even common to see some teachers allowing their students to use their phones when it is normally not allowed. The CHS administration should reach a consensus regarding the rules about technology use during class. This will lead to less confusion and more consistency from teachers when it comes to the consequences of using devices during class time.

In addition to unclear policies on cell phone use during class, receiving and maintaining an off-campus pass can leave students at a loss. The main problem with this policy is that students do not know the administration’s expectations. Although the guidelines for acquiring and maintaining an off-campus pass are stated in the Parent/Student Handbook, they are not outlined in the student planner behavioral expectations that are given at the beginning of the year. The student planner solely states the consequences of going off-campus or being on another school campus without permission. However, the student planner does not mention any requirements on how to obtain and keep an off-campus pass such as keeping GPA and CST scores above a certain level. Many students rely on the behavioral expectations provided in the student planner as a reference for appropriate conduct; therefore, by excluding such off-campus requirements students are left with an inconsistent understanding of the rules.

CHS administration needs to have the rules written out clearly in a way that students and staff can be on one accord when it comes to what is expected of them on campus. The rules regarding dress code, electronic device use during class, and obtaining an off-campus pass are a few examples of some of these vague policies. Clearer rules will make student and staff relationships better and make it easy for students to follow the rules.