Picture this: the final bell rings, echoing through the halls, and your bladder feels like it’s about to burst. Channeling your inner Speedy Gonzales, you sprint to the restroom only to find a long line. With just 8 minutes on the clock and some bathrooms closed, you’re faced with a choice: stay and risk being late, or gamble by waiting and hope nothing leaks. When you go to the toilet or urinal, you realize it is clogged, and there’s no soap either.  

Don’t just take my word for it! I Interviewed dozens of students about the bathrooms to showcase what challenges students face when going to the bathroom, and I want our voices to be heard from ocean depths to the seashore.  

What are your thoughts on the school bathrooms? 

“The closed bathrooms make it harder, cus my class is right there, lowkey annoying, and I hate that I have to walk across campus.” (Jacob 11th)

“One time I went to the bathroom and the urinal was clogged with pee to the brim of it.” (Benjamin 10th)

Have the long lines caused you to be tardy?

“Yes, maybe two times.” (Lucia 12th)

“I straight up don’t go to the bathrooms during passing period cause the lines are too long.” (Carson 11th)

Have you or seen anyone been denied access to use the restroom by a teacher?

“Yeah, the teacher said it was too early and should’ve gone during passing period, and it was already 25 minutes of class.” (Benjamin 10th) 

“I have not, this happened to my friend, she’s in 10th, she asked the teacher to go the restroom.” But she kept denying, eventually she left on her on, and got in trouble.” (Heba 12th) Heba’s friend declines being interviewed or named. 

“No, students have been denied, because there not allowed to go during 1st lunch.” (Lucia 12th)

During my interviews I found out a teacher takes away Participation points if you go to the bathroom. They didn’t consent to an interview. I’ve also had two teachers give detention if you go more than 3 times a semester to the restroom. 

Where you aware you can fill out a forum to solve bathroom problems?

“There is?” “Yeah I feel like the school should do a better job at making students aware of that.” (Raphael 11th)

“Yes” (Chloe 9th)

Students at Santiago High School often face challenges using the restrooms due to long lines, short passing periods, occasional maintenance issues, and not being able to use the restroom during class time.  While many students have expressed frustration over the wait times and restroom cleanliness, Assistant Principals shared some insights on the school’s policies and available resources. Dr. Strikwerda, who oversees restroom maintenance, explained that while some repair delays are due to waiting for parts from the district, the administration is actively working to keep as many restrooms open as possible. She noted, “The QR code system ensures students can report issues like missing soap or clogged fixtures, allowing us to address them quickly.” Students can find this QR code system in the bathrooms on a poster, where they can scan and be sent to a forum to report the issue.  The problem is that few students are aware of this QR code; its location isn’t great for students to see, and it seems as though repairs are taking a long time to get fixed.  The best thing we can do as students is to continue to fill out the QR code, tell our friends about it, and report issues when they don’t get fixed in a timely manner.

According to Mr. Ross, although passing periods cannot be extended due to California’s instructional minute requirements, students can use the restroom during class. This includes the first 10 minutes of class and the end of 15 minutes of class if it’s an emergency!  The blackout period’s original intention was to help clear campus and get students to class.  This would help make it easier to tell who was late to class.  But if you are genuinely having an actual bathroom emergency, your teacher can allow you to use the restroom with a Minga pass.  Just be sure that it’s an actual emergency and that you’re not abusing the blackout period.  

According to California law (Education Code § 35292.5), schools have to make sure students can use the restroom during school hours, and teachers can’t stop you from going or take points off your grade if you need to use the bathroom. But it’s important to use this responsibly—head straight to the restroom and come back quickly to avoid distractions. Misusing bathroom breaks for things like socializing or wandering around has led to restrictions, so it’s key to respect this rule. If students or parents think restroom access is being unfairly restricted, they should talk to CNUSD to ensure everyone follows the rule.