For the 2023-2024 school year, Rancho Cucamonga High School is implementing stricter security measures schoolwide. Some of the new security measures include new home football game protocols and a new restroom policy.
After a nearby incident at a local school, RCHS has implemented new security protocols for home football games. Football games are now enforced with a new entry rule, and students are required to have a physical ID to gain entrance. Students are greeted into the Cougar Dome with metal detectors and more security officers. Bags of any kind, such as school backpacks or personal bags are also not permitted to be brought into the stadium.
Ms. Alyssa Castro, the RCHS Assistant Principal of Discipline and Safety said, “At our football games, we are now being tighter on our clear bag policy and metal detectors.”
In addition to the new protocols for home football games, the usage of color-coded restrooms passes another one of the new campus-wide policies. According to Castro, school fights and truancies have been prevented with the new rules for restroom lanyards. Using these Identifying students on campus has been easier for the campus officers.
“Students will usually be truant for up to 20-30 minutes, or have plans to meet up in the locker room or in the restroom,” Castro said. “We’ll find students fighting other students, or across campus on the opposite side from their classroom, so the lanyards add transparency and visibility for the campus officers.”
According to Castro, parents and students can also contribute to the safety on campus. In order to ensure a safe campus, Castro emphasizes that it is essential for students and parents to follow pick-up and drop-off policies. Earlier this school year, an email was sent out to parents regarding the security on campus.
“The policies aren’t here to annoy the student and parents, or to add inconvenience. They are here for the safety,” Castro said.
So far, students have had split decisions about the new rules. It seems like the majority doesn’t mind it, but some may be slightly bothered. When comparing previous years of safety, students’ opinions are mainly the same and think that not much has changed.
“It honestly feels the same,” sophomore Tanner Henne said. “I didn’t even know about some of the new security rules on campus.”
According to RCHS admin, the increased security and rules on campus help keep RCHS safe.
