Every day at Lafayette High School, students are required to go through metal detectors before entering the school. There have been several times where the lines are long and sometimes it makes students late to class. So, what time should students get to school to ensure that they will get to class on time?
Typically, about 8-10 staff members work at the metal detectors every day. Each metal detector has one staff member so that’s only 8-10 metal detectors for about 2,500 students. The main issue with the metal detectors is that most of the students at Lafayette, arrive at about the same time which creates chaos. There is often a drastic change in the amount of people waiting in the metal detector lines depending on what time you get to school.
Not only are students arriving to class late because of the metal detectors, but they are also missing out on the free school breakfast and are not able to socialize with their friends. Many students enjoy getting to school at an earlier time so they can talk with their peers and get a break before class starts. Nobody wants to be tardy to class every day.
The Times would recommend not only arriving at school earlier but also leaving their houses sooner. Sometimes it’s not always about what time students get to school, but also about the time that students leave their houses. In an interview with Dr. Huber, she told The Times, “If I leave my house at 7:00 am, there is no traffic, if I leave at 7:15 am, there’s traffic.” Traffic has a significant change based on the time you leave in the morning. Bus riders also struggle with the security lines in the morning, they can’t always control when their bus gets there. Sometimes they all get to the school at the same time. Instead of all of the bus riders going on the same side of the gym, they could spread out throughout the lines and make the process faster.
There are many factors students have to consider in the morning. For example, finding parking at Lafayette can also sometimes be difficult, especially if you don’t have a parking pass. In order to ensure good parking, students often get to school earlier so they can ensure that they get a good parking spot. It’s always good to stay ahead and be prepared for anything. If students are consistently getting to school late, they should try setting their alarm earlier and making sure they have enough time to get ready in the morning. Arriving at school early can significantly reduce the time you spend waiting in the metal detector lines.
