Driving Off Campus: Forget About It

If you are thinking of sneaking off campus in your car, think again.

On Friday, April three seniors were caught driving off campus during class, in violation of school rules. They were each suspended for a week, and teachers were instructed to give them a 50 on any scheduled exams. .

The "No Driving During School Policy" in The TABC Student Handbook reads:

“Students are not permitted to leave the campus by car unless they receive express written permission from a member of the administration. This applies even to students who drive to school. Leaving campus during school day, either as a driver or passenger, will result in a one (1) week suspension. A second offense will be grounds for expulsion.”

Students who drive their cars to school may not operate their vehicle until the day is over, no matter the circumstance. For years students have contested this rule in vein. And of course, students are extremely opposed to the rule.

“To my knowledge, this is the only school that has this rule- ridiculous!” said senior Judah Samuel. “If the school was smart they’d change the rule and make everyone’s life easier.”

General Studies Principal, Mr. Poleyoff, has another opinion. “We’re proud to have this rule, we’re keeping students alive.”

It’s worth noting, both Maayanot and Frisch allow students to drive during school.

This rule has been implemented for two reasons, according to Mr. Poleyoff. First, so that administration knows where the students are at all times. Second, the school may run into legal trouble if anything happens while students drive off campus.

“If a students gets into an accident while driving off campus, TABC can get sued for letting students drive during school hours,” Mr. Poleyoff said.

While the school’s concerns are reasonable, there are convincing reasons to change the rule, while still keeping students safe.

TABC’s rule that forbids any driving during school hours, is too extreme, considering the realities of students’ lives. Sometimes parents, many of whom work, are not able to drive their kids to important appointments (like the doctor) scheduled during the school day.

Also, when students have several frees in a row in the middle of the day, it’s unreasonable to force students to stay. And what about grabbing lunch in town, when it’s pouring outside? There’s been multiple times where I’ve wanted to go to Sammy’s Pizzeria on a day when it’s raining and my friend can’t drive me because of this rule

Further, the reality is that, whether students drive off campus or not, TABC doesn’t consistently know the locations of every student at all times. Students routinely walk to Queen Anne, West Englewood Ave. and even Dunkin Donuts, for lunch, snacks, smoothies, or just to stretch their legs.

Perhaps TABC could permit off-campus driving, and transfer liability to the parents for students’ time away from school. y, or is going out for lunch on West Englewood when it’s pouring outside.

Rumor has it, that in an effort to stop students from driving off campus, Rabbi Finkelstein’s car has been spotted parked across from the student lot, waiting to see if kids are coming or going. The school also has cameras pointed at the student lot.

As a matter of fact, 3 students were indeed suspended for their first offense, but when seniors or class of 2018 were spotted in their car off campus were let off with a warning, showing the schools inconsistencies with punishments and and treating kids better than other.

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