Over the last month or so, the Neshaminy student body has noticed serious changes to the availability of bathrooms throughout the school. The once-accessible facilities have now become scarce, with only one bathroom remaining open per floor, leading to long lines and heightened frustration during passing periods.
The forefront of the issue is the lack of bathroom availability. Over the last month, students have noticed a trickle-down effect on the bathrooms, leaving just one open per floor. This limited access has created a stressful and frustrating environment, especially for students trying to quickly use the restroom during passing time.
One of the main issues facing students right now due to availability is beating the clock. Since the e-hall pass was introduced to the school, students have been reminded numerous times of the importance of not exceeding the five-minute limit on their pass.
However, administrators have not provided clear guidance to students or parents on how to manage this with the expanded length of lines for the restroom.
When approached about students worrying about being pushed over the five minutes, 11th-grade NHS Principal Roberta Cimochowski stated that “everything is based on the individual,” and it “shouldn’t be a problem,” for students who “make good choices.”
Another issue students faced during this ongoing battle was being sent back to class for not having a physical pass or proof of their e-hall pass on them. According to the NHS student handbook for the 2025-26 school year:
“Students will be asked to place their cell phones in the pockets at the start of each class period and will be allowed to retrieve it at the conclusion of the class period lesson. Use of a cell phone during the class period could result in disciplinary consequences.”
As students are not permitted to carry cell phones during class periods, questions remained about how students were expected to provide physical proof of an e-hall pass, as it relies on digital access.
When The Playwickian reached out for comment, Cimochowski recognized that there was “maybe a couple” miscommunications and stated that “we officially use e-hall pass… students do not need to carry their phones in the hall.”
The following day, principal Stephen Garstka sent out an email apologizing for any confusion, stating that the student’s proof of a virtual pass was not necessary.
Cimochowski did confirm that a lack of staffing and plumbing issues played a factor in recent bathroom closures, but did not comment further. She added that the staffing issue “is a county-wide issue,” and it is not temporary.
Bathroom access is limited due to staffing shortages, as each open restroom requires a hall aide to monitor student behavior.
Additionally, due to the Pennsylvania School Code – Student Health & Safety Risk, requiring public schools to maintain a safe and healthful environment for students, limited restroom availability and extended wait times raise concerns about whether current policies align with those standards.
Even with all of the issues facing the bathrooms, administrators believe that students should “stay optimistic” about a second bathroom potentially reopening this year.”
