Although the Archmere disciplinary rules remain the same as previous years, Archmere administrators have been more heavily enforcing them this year. Acting together as Directors of Student Life, Mr. Nowaczyk and the newly positioned Mr. Johnson are collaborating to ensure students are following these rules.
It is expected of students to tuck in their shirts, to not use their cellphones in school, and to store their computer in the Archmere provided case. It has always been mandatory for students to have their personal IDs, but this school year Archmere administrators have been mandating that students should wear their IDs on their person to ensure safety.
If students are wearing their IDs, administrators know that students did not misplace their IDs, therefore confirming that random people do not have access to Archmere’s academic buildings. Maura Read ‘25 says, “Although the rules about IDs are sometimes difficult to follow, they keep us and our school safe.” However, some students are strongly opposed to being penalized for not wearing their IDs, and do not find a purpose to it. Emily Mayo ‘25 says, “Giving us points for the tiniest things, like not wearing your ID, is frustrating and annoying.”
Mr. Johnson believes that following stricter disciplinary policies in high school prepares students to better integrate with college expectations. Mr Johnson recalls when he played games on his laptop during class in college, and, consequently, he ended up with a C+ in the class. Mr. Johnson reflects on his own personal experience, saying, “It would have served me well to have consequences for being distracted on my device before I got to college.” He then says, “This is definitely part of the rationale behind the no cellphone policy at Archmere.”
In regards to the dress code, Johnson argues that Archmere’s dress code effectively prepares students for workplace norms. “Most jobs require a dress code and, at that point, there are no warnings when not followed,” Johnson says.
In previous years, one violation of the student handbook would result in a warning. However, the new procedure allows Archmere administrators to give out disciplinary points for violations without a warning. Once students receive three disciplinary points, students are to meet Mr. Johnson and he will assign the student with a personalized reflection, instead of a typical, purposeless punishment. Johnson says, “The new structure allows for students to have good reflection on their violations, but not feel like they are getting bombarded with consequences.”
Overall, the crackdown on students following disciplinary rules has caused some opposition within the student population, but Mr. Johnson assures that each rule serves a meaningful purpose that strengthens the community as a whole. Mr. Johnson stresses this, saying, “While we are being stricter in the assigning of points, we are being much more open and forgiving on the follow up of that.” There is no misunderstanding of the rules, however the penalization of students with minor violations, in general, is considered excessive among the student population.
