Potty problems

The following column was originally published in 2005.

Dear Annie: I would like to respond to “Open to Suggestions in California.” I am a teacher who also has experienced the “pee” problem and the domino effect.

I now allow my students to go to the restroom as soon as they enter my class. With the exception of special circumstances (I have a diabetic student), I do not allow students out of class once the lesson has begun.

Our students have only three minutes between classes, and I realize this is not enough time to hit the lockers as well as the restrooms. I would much rather spend a couple of extra minutes in the hall monitoring my students than be constantly interrupted in the classroom. I use the time to take the roll, sign excuses and other beginning-of-class business. I also allow the students who ride the bus home to go to the restroom the last five minutes of our last class. Everything flows much better now. – Theresa in Louisiana Dear Theresa: Bless all the teachers who wrote with suggestions. Here’s a small sampling: From Modesto, Calif.: As a junior high teacher of 20 years, I inform students that they can have two potty passes per quarter. The time out of class is limited to two minutes. If they go over the allotted time, they will owe me the time after school. New Mexico: The best thing our school has done is unlock the restrooms only during the three minutes between classes. This forces students to think about what is most important during that time and plan ahead. If a student is doing “the dance” in class, of course I let him go, but they know I’m going to lecture them on planning better use of their time between classes. Shaker Heights, Ohio: In addition to a recess and lunch break, we had an emergency sign-up sheet that children could use twice a week — no questions asked.