After a seemingly endless, tear-filled day of test corrections, one of the many dedicated AP US History students embarks on the journey from room 106 to the front lobby of this glorious reward school.

She waits patiently, just as she has for fifteen years, for the yellow beacon of hope that has guided her through her life since elementary school. As she waits for her only method of transportation to bring her to the safety and comfort of her humble abode in East Moriches, she rests on the stone benches, conversing with her peers. The unmistakable screeching of the tires brings her to her feet and she hurries over to the school bus.

She boards, and upon ascending the steps is met with an unforeseen obstacle; she does not have a bus pass. The thought never even crossed her mind and she is now in quite the predicament.

Recently, a policy that prevents students from boarding the extra help busses without a pass was instituted. Whether this rule was enforced for the safety of the students, in the best interest of the school, or because of the number of afterschool riders that haven’t attended extra help and are abusing the bus system, was unclear… until now.

When asked about what exactly the bus pass rule was, our fearless leader Mr. Herr offered that, “Students stay after for extra help, clubs, and activities. Rather than just hopping on a bus, they will be provided with a blue bus pass and will be able to get on.” Although the policy seems to be a sudden change, Mr. Herr asserts that the school “had it years ago, and we kind of came back to it.”

So what exactly is the objective of this rule? What was the issue in the first place? Apparently, “students may be shooting into town and coming back to school to utilize the busses.” Furthermore, “when students leave school grounds, they’re not supervised. They’re probably just walking into town or grabbing a burger down the street, but we aren’t responsible for them when they leave.” This makes sense, as the school is responsible for its students and will be held accountable when they are on school property. Mr. Herr also feels, “We are responsible for the students who are staying and doing what they’re supposed to be doing.

Back to this unnamed student from East Moriches—what happens to her? Principal Herr realizes that the issue might arise, and there are various solutions to the problem. “We gave a pack of passes to every teacher. If anybody needs one, they can come down to the main office or go back and get one.” If that doesn’t seem to help, students should “come to the main office, and we can call up to your classroom to verify that you were in extra help.”  Mr. Herr wants students to know that the new rule is “not a ‘gotcha’ thing. We want to make sure that kids who are here get a ride home, that’s all.”

Our commander also commented on what he believed the desired outcome for this new policy is, which is “to keep students here, participating in clubs, and to make sure those kids get a ride home.”

You heard it from the man himself, Hurricanes. If you’re staying after school, just get a pass and hop on the bus. It’s easy, quick, and shouldn’t present a problem if you’re doing what you’re supposed to be doing. Uphold the standards of this reward school, grab a pass, and have a blast.