New water bottle rule causes mixed reactions at STMS

Last year, it seemed like almost every student was walking around with Stanley cups, Owalas, and other water bottles in all kinds of colors and sizes. This year, those cups have almost disappeared because of a new rule that does not allow Stanley or Stanley-like cups in classrooms.

This school year, STMS put a rule in place that students are not permitted to bring any type of water bottle into classrooms or carry them around the school unless special permission has been granted.  Administrators said the rule was created to reduce the number of water spills happening each day and to help custodians stay on their regular schedules during the school day.

Many students are unhappy with the new rule and feel it does not benefit them. Londyn Byrd, a seventh grader, said, “I don’t like the new rule because if we are really thirsty and we use our bathroom passes to get water, then we are basically wasting our bathroom passes.” Students are given 45 bathroom passes each quarter, and some students feel that using them just to get water limits how often they can use the restroom when they really need to. Another seventh grader, Juleia White, said, “When we had water bottles, we were able to drink water whenever we wanted.” She added, “Now we have to wait in lines, feel dehydrated, and some people don’t even like the water at lunch.”

Teachers and administrators say the rule has helped classrooms run more smoothly. Principal Dr. G. Marrek Marshall explained that there were many water spills in sixth through eighth grade classrooms last year, which interrupted teaching and learning. “The spills were preventing students and teachers from learning and teaching, and it made it harder for custodians to stick to their normal schedule,” Dr. Marshall said.  Even though this new rule is in place, Dr. Marshall also shared that students are still allowed to get water during the day.  “I also want to make sure students are allowed to get water during the day and they can also get it from their locker or the water foundation,” he added. 

Several teachers agreed that the rule has had positive effects. Ms. Jones, a seventh-grade ELA teacher, said, “I think it’s a necessary rule, and it has been very helpful for our teachers and janitors.” She also noticed that fewer students leave her classroom during class time. Ms. Todaro, a sixth-grade social studies teacher, said, “There have been less water bottle spills this year.” She added that around this time last year, she often had to buy paper towels to clean up spills. While students and staff may have different opinions, the new water bottle rule has clearly changed daily life at STMS. “Overall I think it was a good idea to put the water bottles aside and keep kids inside  the classrooms more.” Ms.Todaro added.