Who decides what Jackson-Reed security is supposed to confiscate? Everyone hears complaints from students as our security team seizes eyelash curlers, perfumes, and deodorants, but where does this policy come from?
As it turns out, this isn’t a JR decision, rather a DCPS wide policy.
The policy bans aerosol sprays, glass containers, metal utensils, dice (to discourage students from gambling), over-the-counter medications, and open drink containers. This policy has raised many questions among the JR student body.
Students question the policy’s selectiveness – it prohibits glass containers, but allows scissors and compasses with sharp points to be stored in math classrooms. It also prohibits any type of aerosol spray including clearly marked deodorants and perfumes. While the security team declined to comment, this part of the policy is frequently enforced as the confiscated items bin in the office is filled with perfumes, deodorants, and many eyelash curlers.
The eyelash curler in particular has raised many questions among students. “I don’t understand the danger,” said freshman Arabella Bernstein. This feeling is echoed throughout the student body, as many don’t see the reasoning behind the ban on eyelash curlers. The final part of the controversy this DCPS policy faces is its enforcement. Even though the practice is supposed to be standardized, it is not the same across all schools. Sophomore Elena Marin says, “my sister goes to School Without Walls, and they don’t confiscate eyelash curlers there.” Many students also bring in over-the-counter medications such as Advil and Tylenol, which are banned under the policy.
Additionally, students have found ways around the system by going through different metal detectors. “If you go through a specific security point, they won’t confiscate anything,” said freshman Lily Gonzales. The same applies to the school’s “no open drink” policy. The enforcement of this rule is often sporadic and unequal.
Despite the desire of the policy to create a safe and secure learning environment, it continues to draw controversy from students due to the confusion created from the unevenly applied policies and unclear reasoning. •