Galileo Academy’s administration on Wednesday January 15th, conducted a hallway sweep to ensure students were returning to class promptly and upholding their responsibilities. As soon as the bell rang, most teachers immediately closed their doors, though some allowed students who were just arriving to enter. Those who were caught in the hallways after the bell were escorted to a designated area where they were addressed by school staff.
Students who were caught in the hallway faced consequences such as detention, where they were required to sit quietly for an hour and listen to discussions on accountability and the importance of attending class. During detention, cell phones were confiscated to minimize distractions. Approximately 50 students were caught in the hallway sweep, highlighting the need for such measures.
Assistant Principal Avar emphasized that the initiative was aimed at promoting accountability and maintaining privileges like open-campus lunch. “We want to make sure everyone is safe, present, and learning,” A.P. Avar explained, adding, “The goal isn’t punitive—it’s about fostering a sense of community and responsibility.”
For some students, the hallway sweep was a frustrating experience. Allison, an 11th grader, shared her frustration after being locked out of her classroom. “I had to knock on the door so many times, and I know the teacher could hear me, but he wouldn’t open it,” she said. “There were so many people knocking, too.” She admitted that she was late due to taking her time after lunch, but she was surprised to see security questioning students as they arrived. “It was unusual,” she noted, adding that she saw other students desperately trying to get into their classes.
Others, however, were unaffected by the sweep. JJ, a freshman, expressed indifference. “I didn’t really care about it because I was already in class,” he said. When asked about students who were tardy, he was blunt: “They should do better and get to class on time.”
Moving forward, the administration plans to involve students in finding solutions. Avar highlighted the importance of collaboration, stating, “There should never just be adults doing things to students. What are we doing together to create community agreements and uphold expectations?”
As for the future of open-campus lunch, the administration says it depends on the students. Avar was optimistic, saying, “If everyone is accountable and responsible, there’s no reason to ban it.”
However, students who fail to meet expectations can expect consequences, including detention. Avar says that these measures aim to uphold the values of Galileo’s ROAR system—Resilient, Organized, Accountable, and Responsible.
By reinforcing accountability and encouraging student input, the administration hopes to balance privilege with responsibility, ensuring Galileo remains a place where every student can thrive.
