Pennsbury Eases Bathroom Restrictions After Students Protest

FALLSINGTON, PA —After a student walkout and meetings with numerous student groups, school officials have eased bathroom restrictions at both Pennsbury High School campuses.

High School Principal Reggie Meadows had nine successful meetings over five days last week with different student groups at Pennsbury High School to review student expectations at the school, said Jennifer Neill, the district's supervisor of public relations.

"The administration is beginning to ease bathroom restrictions at both East and West campuses and will continue to do so as things progress in a positive direction," Neill told Patch Monday.

Two weeks ago, Pennsbury High School students staged a 10-minute walkout in what school officials said was a protest of the restroom restrictions made in the wake of bathroom fights and vandalism.

The policies were put in place following a fight that led to police being called to Pennsbury High School West and a wave of bathroom vandalism. The high school serves Yardley, Tullytown, Falls Township, and Lower Makefield Township.

The district instituted policies calling for increased visibility among administration around bathrooms, limited restroom access for students, and bathroom sign-in procedures.

Following the protest, students met with school officials last week to complain about the policies causing classroom disruptions, long restroom waiting times, and wrongful tardiness penalties.

A Change.org petition dubbed “Stop Pennsbury High School bathroom restrictions” was also launched and received more than 130 signatures with a goal of 200.

While the sign-in policy has been dropped, students still need electronic passes to leave their classrooms. More faculty and aides are watching students near the restrooms as well.