Today hundreds of students filled up the gym to listen in to the expectations for the 2013-2014 school year. As students scurried around the gym to find their friends to sit with, they were informed about the new rules and consequences.

Andre Phillips, principal, said his goal for this year was one word, “accountability.” He explained to the students that if he could count on the administrative staff, then he could count on the teachers, and teachers can count on the students.

Phillips mentioned more activities would be coming, like dances, spirit days, and night rallies. But he also said that he had some new rules that have to be followed.

Assistant principal Gamal Salama said that the students would have to be accountable for four rules.  The first rule was ID’s; they must be worn from 7:15 a.m. till 2:10 p.m. If chosen to break this rule it will lead to afterschool detentions.

ID’s this year will also be used in a positive manner.  Phillips said, “If you attend dances or activities throughout the school year you will be scanned for good points.”  At the end of the school year, there will be a gift card raffle with students’ names with the highest “good points.”

The second was dress code violations. Hats could be worn outdoors only, but there will be no exceptions for red or blue. Male students may not wear muscles tank tops and female students must obey the two finger strap rule and finger-length shorts or dresses.

Third, was cell phones and other electronics must be turned completely off from 7:19 a.m. till 2:10 p.m. If seen with a device as a first offense, it will be revoked and picked up after school. The second offense leads to a parent picking the device up afterschool. The third offense will lead to it being held till the end of the school year.

The fourth rule was about tardiness. Salama said, “You must be inside of the classroom when the tardy bell rings.”  If you are tardy more than three times then you are sent to M-3 after school to serve detention from 2:15 to 3:15.

Phillips said he wants to create a “student center learning environment.” He said that he is taking part in transforming the library into a student hang out place that s open before school and during lunch.  Ping-Pong tables, couches, a college center and a corner for ASB is to be done by this December.

“We’re doing all this to make students feel like we care, to feel included, and part of a group, part of a team,” Salama said.