OPINION ………. With The Facts ………..
On Oct 1, 2019, we posted the Article – Opinion for Jennifer Long a parent of a student at Lehigh Acres Senior High School……..
Sign the petition –Fair Bathroom Use and Regulations for Students in Lehigh Senior High School
Written by Jennifer Long (Parent – Opinion)
Since the start of the school year, High School students at Lehigh Senior High School have had to be escorted by school security to use the bathrooms during class. Between classes, with over 2,600 students, many cannot utilize this short time period to use the bathroom. Students and parents have been heard stating that in spite of the increase in security staff this year, students (some with documented disabilities) have had to wait up to 20 minutes for a staff response, but sometimes security staff does not even come at all to provide relief. This not only is unhealthy physically, but emotionally damaging as well. The need for child safety is understood, however not at the detriment of child health. UTI’s, bladder control problems, overstretching the bladder muscles, bowel obstruction or even kidney failure from bladder pressure or incontinence can occur from holding body waste for too long.
The need for the safety of students is understood, however, treating children like they have done something wrong by escorting them with security undermines good behaviors and encourages bad behaviors. In addition, how can our children perform well in school when all they can focus on is relieving oneself? This seems like cruel and unusual punishment for all children regardless of any behavioral issues. Allowing children to use the bathroom in a timely fashion is human dignity, not a luxury or privilege.
Please, reconsider or streamline your bathroom policy, as it’s in the best interests of our children.
Sign the petition Click here
On Oct 2, 2019, we received the following from Rob Spicker Asst Director, Media Relations & Public Information,
Good morning,
You have posted a link to a petition on your site: https://thelehighacresgazette.com/news/2019/10/sign-the-petition-fair-bathroom-use-and-regulations-for-students-in-lehigh-senior-high-school/
The statements made are inaccurate and we would request that you take it down immediately.
Thank you.
Rob
The Lehigh Acres Gazette responded in 40 minutes it was this:
The answer is NO !!!!
The person wrote it — her name is in the article and she is a parent of the student in that school and she is very pissed off.
If you would like to comment on her “so-call inaccurate statements”, we will gladly post your response – keep it under 250 words.
Thank you
Lehigh Acres Web Team
24 hours later and still no response for Rob Spicker, finally after emailing them again we get the following response:
“The safety and security of our students is our highest priority.” For Rob Spicker.
NO response on the “so-call inaccurate statements” from the parent of the child.
It’s the time that the school system starts treating the students with dignity and respect. Safety and security are one thing but lack of dignity and respect from certain administrators is very prominent in Lehigh Senior High School!!!!!!!
By the Way, some of the administrators have their own private restrooms.