Case
Bathroom passes?

How do high school teachers handle bathroom issues? When I issue my students passes, they lose them or use them all and still ask to go to the bathroom. I can't tell them they can't go to the bathroom when they are sitting there telling me they really have to go, but I know some of them aren't really going to the bathroom or just want to leave for a minute. I've tried every system and can't find one that works. Any ideas?

Posted on: 10/18/15 | Views: 1939
Solution #1
Top Solution
Hello runyJu, I can see how this dilemma would be a disruption to your classroom. I would stress the importance of being present for the whole class period by creating an incentive program. Maybe for each day that the student remains in the classroom for the entire period they can earn a point. After collecting a week's worth of points the student earns a bonus point on an assignment or quiz. There needs to be a connection in the student's minds about the importance of being in class and being successful in learning. Another suggestion I have for you is to allow students to go during a transition time. No other time throughout the class period will you allow students to leave, so that students only go during a designated amount of time.

I think the incentive program for extra points on a quiz or toward the final grade is an AWESOME idea. Unfortunately you're right, you cant deny them their right to use the restroom so that is a touchy subject. But, implementing an incentive might definitely keep the students in their seats.

This is a very thorough solution. It is very helpful.

This is very helpful!

I had a teacher who did this when I was in high school. It motivated us to use the restroom before or after class, instead of wasting one of our bathroom passes going during class.

Collecting and applying points to grades is always a nice incentive for students. However, one should limit the amount of points one can apply to an assignment.

40 1
Solution #2
Top Solution
Students need to be allowed to go to the bathroom if needed. I have found magnetic passes online that I have used for my students. I have one for the boys and another for the girls. I like the magnetic ones because students can stick them to the door frames outside the bathroom. This also helps to prevent the spread of germs by not carrying them inside the bathroom. Having just one pass only allows for one student to be gone at a time. Students are also not permitted to leave during lectures. They may leave during group or independent activities, unless it's an absolute emergency.

This is a great idea!

Having students use the restroom during independent work time is a great idea! I would just be concern with having the magnets stolen or lost from off the bathroom doors.

In the beginning of the year, asking the students if they have any special requirements and illnesses that require using the bathroom is good to take note of. Limiting their passes is also helpful.

I like the designated time to use the bathroom so students don't interrupt your lecture and miss important information.

26 0
Solution #3
Since we are talking about high school students here, I put forth the idea to make them responisble for thier action like the real world. You are correct to say that you cant just tell them no but the idea is to go in between class or before and after lunches. My idea is this, have two laminated or plastic passes. This means at most two studnts can be out at a time and it dosentl hurt the genders. If they lose the pass it hurts their grade and any learning they miss while inthe bathroom is thier responsibility. Let's say they ask to go during a test either make them wait to finish the test or make sure they understand that if you collect it while they're gone that its the test they turn in. For notes or classwork its thier responiblity to find it afterward or be back in time to turn it in. If it still feels liek a problem make it so that only in the first and last ten minutes of class are the times to ask to go.

That is a good idea!

5 0
Solution #4
I subbed in an alternative high school a while ago that had a strict bathroom policy. Students were given a sheet each week that documented their time in the bathroom. They were given one opportunity to go in the morning (1st 2 classes) and 1 chance in the afternoon (last 2 classes). The teacher had to fill out the time they left and the time they returned. After that they could not go at all. In my elementary class, when students use their bathroom passes and still have to go I ask them if it's worth their recess time. If they really have to go then they'll take the few minutes on the fence (I usually make them sit out 1 or 2 max) if they don't have to go then they stay in class. I know another teacher who rewards their students for how many bathroom passes they have left at the end of the week. They can trade them in the class store or extra free time.
9 6
Solution #5
Allow your students to go to the bathroom only one time during the class period. Make it a window of 15-20 minutes into class so that for the rest of the class they have to stay inside and learn. If they miss their opportunity then its on them (unless its a real emergency" And maybe reward the students who don't interrupt the class to take bathroom breaks. This would make the students want to stay in class rather than always leaving.

This is a great idea!

A lot of my teachers applied a certain amount of bathroom passes per semester and that caused a lot of students to not use the bathroom all the time

3 0
Solution #6
I would create some classroom rules about the bathroom including: *Not allowing students to use the restroom the first and last ten minutes of class unless it is an emergency (Normally you can tell if it is or not) * Do not allow students to leave during a lecture/ when you teach a lesson unless they are sick, injured, or REALLY have to go *Stress that the information being taught is important for them not to miss * Have students use the bathroom before coming to class * Give students class participation points *Create questions or activities that are a grade * Students will get a zero if they miss the lecture, lesson, questions, or activity planned for that day. Also, create a bathroom/hall pass that students are not able to lose and that will deter them from "taking a break" from class. Some teachers use random objects such as cones, toilet seats, clip boards, hand sanitizer bottles, etc.
1 0
Solution #7
What one of my teachers did in high school was that we did not have to ask to go to the bathroom, we were allowed to get up, sign our names out on the clipboard and grab the one pass. If someone else had to go to the bathroom, that person had to wait until the other got back.
1 0
Solution #8
If it is possible, maybe allow a short 5 minute break to allow students to decompress and use the restrooms. This could help students refocus during the lesson
0 0
Solution #9
I am currently working with high school students and one thing I believe the teachers in the classroom that combats the overuse of bathroom passes is to set time throughout the day to have designated bathroom breaks. If you have the students for only one period you can allow them to use the restroom during a warm up time or before you begin your lesson. If breaks are needed after it should be for emergencies and not abused. If this is an issue where students just want to get out of the room or take a break from work there should be a place in the back of the room the students can go to for a few minutes to take that break. Then they are not leaving the room or missing out on information.
0 0
Solution #10
One thing my high school teachers did was the first and last 10 minutes of class we were allowed to go to the bathroom. During the instructional period they requested you wait. This way we did not miss out on any important information. However, if it was an emergency and we really needed to go they would let us. But I found this useful because I could go at the beginning or the end of class. So I never felt as if bathroom privileges were being revoked. Having an assigned amount of passes is not a good idea because truthfully every body is different and not everyone has to go at the same time. Some students will go more than others. But I would try the first and last ten minutes and see how that works. They might stop using the bathroom as an excuse to leave the classroom.
0 0
Solution #11
It is harder to control high schoolers because they think they're always right and do whatever they want anyway so I would talk to an administrator and see what I could do they may know something. Maybe you could call home and tell the parents the issue and explain they are missing a lot of important material and maybe they'll talk to their child about it

This solution seems a lot stricter and gets a lot more parties involved than it should for a simple bathroom issue.

0 0
Solution #12
In one of my high school classes we had a limited number of bathroom passes a semester. We had to keep this paper on us which acted as our pass and the teacher signed it to keep track of our bathroom breaks. If we lost the paper then we did not get to go to the bathroom and had to wait for the transition period. It really worked.
0 0
Solution #13
Maybe have them give you there phone or something valuable to them in exchange for a bathroom pass. This will have them only use it when necessary or lower the amount of time they spend out of the room because they want this item back as soon as possible.

I like making you give you their phone cause most students go to the bathroom to play on their phone or get friends to leave class as well to hangout.

0 0
Solution #14
I would issue the hall passes as normal and once the student is on their third then requirer that they use the office bathroom.
0 0
Solution #15
I would create a bathroom clip system where they move their clips on a chart and only allow them to go twice in the classroom.
0 0
Solution #16
Especially with highschool age students, I would directly address your concerns. Tell students that they are not going to the bathroom to only step out of class, but it is valid that you can not deny students access to the restroom. I would establish procedure that students can not use the restroom during instruction and can ask the use the restroom during assignments. If assignments are not completed during class, then student must complete the remainder at home.
0 0
Solution #17
talk!
0 0
Solution #18
talk!
0 0
Solution #19
When I was in high school, the teachers made us sign out on a sheet and take a pass. There was only one pass for the class and it had the teacher name on it, sot of like an ID. One of my teachers felt that we were responsible enough to leave without asking her permission, we still had to sign in and out and take the pass, but we did not have to ask to leave. I think you just need to determine what would be best for your students. You can keep track of how many times they go in a week or month.
0 0
Solution #20
Keep on looking
0 0
Solution #21
If its during a lesson that is being taught I will tell them they will have to wait until I explain the material. If you notice it is consistent I will report it to whoever is incharge.

I would do the same or let them know that they would miss information depending on what gets a better response.

0 0
Solution #22
In a high school situation, I would have a clipboard on my desk that is the one and only ticket to using the restroom. Students aren't allowed to come up and ask during lectures, only during working time, and not if there are only a few minutes left in the period. One of my favorite high school teachers' mottos was "Do what you need to do on your time." She told us that she expected us to use the restroom between periods, that class time was for learning. The clipboard can be used by only one student at a time, and they must write the time in, time out, and their name. Simple, clear-cut expectations are key. With the clipboard, you can track the frequency and duration, thus preventing (most) shenanigans.
0 0
Solution #23
Since this is high school students, I think students need to be held responsible just as if they were in the real world.
1 1
Solution #24
I know teachers who have specific times when a student can use the bathroom in their classroom. I also know of teachers who use specific systems for using the bathroom like, if you would like to use the bathroom in this class again you have to bring the pass back. If you lose the pass you can't use the bathroom again (which is a good incentive for students who simply want to leave the classroom for a few and get away to want to not lose the pass.)
0 0
Solution #25
I would continue to use the bathroom passes like you have been, but implement a 'participation' aspect to their grade. It doesn't have to be huge, but if they have already used their pass allotment they will start to lose part, or all, of their participation points when they need to use the bathroom during class time. Good luck!
1 1
Solution #26
I like the idea of only allowing students to go to the restroom during independent work. One of the worst things is to be in the middle of a lesson and then someone raises their hand to go to the restroom. Also try to incorporate little "brain breaks" for the students who are raising their hands simply to go for a walk. If you incorporate that movement time within your classroom, maybe they won't feel the need to get up- unless they really need to go to the restroom.
0 0
Solution #27
I can see how this is disruptive and can be frustrating. Students should receive a certain number of bathroom passes. Once they are given those passes it is their responsibility to hold on to them. If they use them up or lose them, that is their fault. Students will use their passes more wisely if they know that once they are all gone they don't get anymore.

This year, my principal gave our faculty a challenge. He said students often leave the class when instruction is not captivating or intriguing. While I am not saying this is the case for you, I believe that if we play the game with our students, they will see that they need to be in class. Engaging them and keeping the classroom positive with high energy will make them want to be in the class. For those that have to go, which they will, all the other responses are useful. I would add, however, as bathroom and out of the class passes become an issue, begin contacting parents to see if there are any "medical issues" you need to know about. That, I'm sure, will be enough to keep students in your class! Good luck!

1 1
Solution #28
There are many options. Most school have policies on the amount of bathroom breaks you are able to take. Most school you have to wait 10 minutes after the bell rings before you can use the restroom. Students should always sign in and out and cannot miss more then 3 minutes. You should encourage your students to go before class and give class participation grades accordingly.
0 1
Solution #29
Make a rule where only one boy and one girl can leave the classroom at a time to use the restroom.

This is always something to remember.

1 3
Solution #30
I also teach high school students. I have implemented a "no pass" zone sign for my classroom. My students know from the beginning, once class begins no one will be allowed to leave my room unless the office calls for them. My students did not like this policy at the beginning of the year, but have since gotten used to it. They know to handle everything they need to before they come to my room. II do have one student that has provided a note from a doctor that requires them to be able to use the restroom when needed.
2 4