Redding School District

Determine Your Policy for Restroom Use – Your policy may consider many factors, including student age and their level of responsibility.

• Most schools require students to carry a hall pass to identify their classroom and where they are going. Place near the door in a visible place so students can see if it is available.
• Some teachers require students to raise hand first to request the hall pass.  A nod from the teachers can suffice.
• Older students may be allowed to leave by themselves but younger sometimes use a buddy system.
• Most teachers only allow one student at a time or one boy and one girl.

Keep Track of Students Who Leave – To help track students who leave to use the restroom, make a vertical chart listing each student’s name. Put two clothespins at the top of the chart – One marked “boys” and one marked “girls”. If a student gets the nod to use the restroom, he or she clips the clothespin next to his or her name.  You can tell at a glance who is gone from the room.

Take the younger student to the restroom – Make sure all students know where the restrooms are located. On the first day of school, you may want to take students on a quick tour to show them how to find the restroom.

Teacher the younger students appropriate restroom behavior – Teach students appropriate restroom manners. Discuss how to walk into the restroom, knock quietly to be sure a stall is empty, flush the toilet after use, wash hands, and throw away paper towels in the proper place.

Emergencies – Let students know that if they have a personal emergency and need to go to the bathroom very quickly, they can come up to you to let you know and then immediately leave.

Be Alert – Be alert for special physical concerns that require a high frequency of restroom visits. Similarly, be aware of students who may take advantage of the policy.