As we attend West Carleton Secondary School in Ottawa, we are experiencing  firsthand the outdated tradition of hall passes. To put it simply, allowing students to freely move between classrooms or use restroom facilities should not require a physical pass. Why? Because we are here to learn personal responsibility. And because sitting for 75 minutes without freedom is a crazy thing ngl. 

High school is a pivotal time for us to develop into responsible young adults. Many of us are nearing adulthood, some even turning 18 before graduation, and these years are crucial for learning accountability. Imposing hall passes and phone restrictions not only undermines the responsibility that high school aims to instill in us but also detracts from our personal growth as autonomous individuals.

Moreover, the shared use of hall passes is unhygienic. In an era of heightened awareness about cleanliness and germ transmission, particularly following global events like the COVID-19 pandemic, such shared objects pose unnecessary health risks. Schools should focus on the health and responsibility of their students, ensuring both a safe and empowering learning environment.

Therefore, I urge educators, administrators, and policymakers in Ottawa to consider removing hall passes from high school protocol. Encouraging self-regulation in students can bridge the gap between adolescence and adulthood more effectively than traditional, outdated methods.

Sign this petition to support a more modern, respectful, and sanitary approach to hall passes in Ottawa high schools. Let's foster an environment where trust, responsibility, and health are prioritized for every student in the city.