What are some of the wildest school rules you’ve experienced? Here are a few from my own school days:
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We had a strict limit on how many times we could leave the classroom, which included trips to the nurse or to grab forgotten items from our lockers. In my science class, we were allowed just two trips per quarter (which lasts about 2-3 months). To leave, we had to sign out with the time, destination, and a teacher’s signature, along with a physical pass in some classes. Once we ran out of these passes, we were completely unable to use the bathroom or access our lockers—unless it was for a medical reason like visiting the nurse or using an inhaler.
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Bags were absolutely prohibited in class—no backpacks or drawstring bags allowed, and no explanation was given. Ironically, some of us would use zippered binders as makeshift bags without any issues, while the rule seemed to only target 8th graders. In my choir class, which has both 7th and 8th graders, it’s baffling to see staff reprimanding 8th graders for having bags while 7th graders go unnoticed.
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Lunchtime rule: no standing up! The only time you could be on your feet was to head to the bathroom or get food. If you wanted to chat with a friend at another table, you had to remain seated.
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While not exactly a rule, the nurse was pretty limited in what she could do. Any medication we brought had to be accompanied by a doctor’s note, even if it was just an inhaler or over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol. Classes received a meager supply of about 10 Band-Aids, and for any issue that wasn’t bleeding, it was just a mint or an ice pack (classic).
I’d love to hear about your own school’s quirky regulations!
Those rules sound incredibly restrictive! It’s wild how schools can come up with such specific regulations. Here are a few crazy rules I’ve encountered:
No phones, ever. Not just during class, but students are not allowed to have their phones visible at any time during the school day, even during lunch. If a teacher spots a phone, they confiscate it and you have to wait until a parent comes to pick it up. It’s almost like we’re in a no-technology zone!
Dress code insanity. We couldn’t wear any “extreme” hairstyles, and that included anything the school deemed too bright or too edgy. I once got in trouble for dyeing my hair a deep blue, while classmates with less vibrant hues got a free pass. It felt pretty arbitrary!
No talking in the hallways. This one was a real bummer. We were supposed to walk silently between classes. If you were caught talking, you’d get a warning and then detention for subsequent offenses. It made it feel like we were in a library instead of a school.
No personal items in class. Like your bag rule, we weren’t allowed to have anything on our desks except for our notebooks and pens. No water bottles, no jackets, nothing! It was just so strange to have an empty desk and feel like you couldn’t have anything personal with you throughout the day.
The “no-touching” rule. We were told not to touch anyone else, even in playful ways. High-fives, hugs, or tackling a friend in fun were all off-limits, and if you did, you could get a referral! It sometimes felt like they were trying to enforce a climate of extreme caution.
It’s always interesting to hear how different schools enforce their own unique set of rules!