Hall sweeps started up again around the middle of December. Deans, administrators, and school aids search around the school’s corridors to find any loose students and bring them to their classes. Anywhere from twelve to fifteen staff members are needed to ensure they don’t miss anyone and to have an effective sweep. These hall sweeps can take place in any part of the day, but they mostly occur between periods four to six. The sweeps do not take place every period of every day. The sweeps cover the entirety of the school and the 17′ wing.
During the hall sweeps, students that are found get their name and ID number written down, they are then brought to their assigned location. The peak amount of students caught in a day so far was 77 students, while the average tends to linger around 30 to 40 students. Overall there has been a decrease in the amount of students being caught in the sweeps.
The sweeps are usually announced over the school’s PA system by Mr. Jaenicke just before the sweeps start. This warning is given in hopes that students will hurry to their assigned locations. Although at times, sweeps are conducted without any warning.
The sweeps do have their benefits and their drawbacks. With the announcements, students have a chance to rush to their classes, and not get caught in the sweeps. The announcements ensure that students cannot ‘play around’ and act like they didn’t know it was time to be in class, while some teachers believe students are just not showing up to class because they don’t care whether or not they get caught. Some teachers do believe the announcements help encourage students to go to class so they don’t get caught in the sweeps. “The principal is very wise in knowing how to give enough warning so nobody has an excuse,” stated Mr. Williams, a mathematics teacher. “With no warning, students have an excuse. Students that are late feel like they’re playing games, and the announcements will put everyone on even footing.”
On the flip side, hall sweeps take time away from teaching classes. However, it seems that this matter doesn’t weigh heavily in teachers’ minds, as several have reported that the announcements for the hall sweeps don’t inhibit teaching because it’s for the greater good.
The punishment for being found in a hall sweep is having a parent/guardian called. Additionally, if a student is found in the hall sweeps multiple times, the student jeopardizes their ability to participate in future events: clubs, sports and other extracurricular activities. Under the New York City discipline code, equal punishment is served to students of all the different learning houses. When interviewing with Mr. Burbano, the amount of students that have been excluded from extracurricular activities couldn’t be revealed as it is confidential information.
