Do any middle school teachers have any ideas to help me regulate "emergency" bathroom visits?

Question

Before, my school always had planners for each student and I would have to sign it before they went to the bathroom. Next year, they are not doing the planners, but giving us hall passes for each of our rooms. I generally do not let students leave my room during class, but I understand that there are emergencies. How can I regulate students using up their "emergency" bathroom visits? I was always able to look in their planners before. Does anyone give out 1 or 2 bathroom passes per quarter or anything like that? If so, does it work well?

Answer 1

I've handed out one emergency pass per quarter.  The students have to put their first and last name on them and hang onto them.  When they use it, I collect it and put the date on it and void the pass.  It says on the pass that at the end of the quarter the students can turn it in for bonus points.  If the students still have it, they can turn it in.  (I only give them a couple of days in case anyone was absent.)  Of course, if a student has a doctor's note in the office, they're allowed to go when they need to. And you know when a student is doing the "dance" in a genuine emergency.  

Answer 2

It is COMPLETELY appropriate to limit restroom usage, otherwise it will be abused. You know how it is, the same students, every day, asking to go to their locker, the bathroom, etc....to waste time simply because they don't want to be there. You have a 'sense' about what is an emegency and what isn't. Trying to make it in between classes is tough, think about it being a teacher! I couldn't always wait till planning or lunch. One thing you could do that worked well for me...restroom pass, 4 minutes. If they go beyond that, it's a tardy (most schools have a good tardy policy). Middle of class or not, they have to 'use up' one of their 'allowed' tardies if they are gone longer than 4 minutes (unless obviously it's some kind of 'problem' which they should discuss with you after class). Honestly, I love the middle schooler's answer on here and I think she stated it quite well; EMERGENCIES ARE RARE. You will know when it's 'for real.'

Answer 3

I'm not a teacher, but I am a student. I know that a few of my teachers, even though they had the passbooks, would hand out a passes and you could get extra credit ( I don't know how you or your school views extra credit) based on how many passes you had left over at the end of the grading period. Our teacher gave out 6 per grading period. Hopefully the motivation of a slightly  higher grade would keep those who leave class to roam the halls (this is a major problem in my school) from leaving.

Answer 4

i'm in junior high, actually, but emergencies are really rare, and if there are, only strict teachers don't let kids out, but even the strict have to. there are emergencies, and you can't risk a kid's bladder exploding because you won't let them out. you have to say no if they can hold it, but if it's an emergency, teachers give us a "hallpass" by having us take out our own paper and writing the time, date, period, and "bathroom pass", and you have to sign it. if they give you the passes, it makes it all the easier. but usually in jhs, it's the honor code to teachers, if a kid says it's an emergency, let them go, unless of course you know they're lying. but usually, people in my classes don't go to the bathrooms, except for at lunch and gym.

Answer 5

Honestly, is it that difficult to tell?  I do understand the need for limiting bathroom breaks - my parents are public school teachers and I've worked in their classes, along with teaching private classes myself - but it's not usually that difficult to tell which kids honestly have to go and which ones are milking it.

If a kid really has to go, I let them.  You don't know when a girl is menstruating, or when a child has a weak bladder; is it really worth embarrassing them in order to keep them from missing a few minutes of the lesson?  And honestly, if they're so uncomfortable that they feel like they're going to explode, they're not going to hear a word you say anyway.

You will quickly figure out which kids magically "have" to go ten minutes into your class each day...yes, for them, limit it to actual needs.  Set your standards the first day, but be sensitive to the kids who need it.  Middle school is hard enough without having to announce to the class how bad you have to pee, or without having to call your parents to bring a change of clothes because you honestly couldn't hold it.

This worked beautifully when I was in middle school, and it works with the kids that I teach.  For the kids that insist on leaving every single day, offer to call their parents to set up confirmation of a medical requirement - that should nip it in the bud - but for kids who you can tell have to go, let them, even if they've used up their pass or two for the quarter.  Their bodies don't necessarily correspond to your bathroom pass rules, and there's not much that they (or you) can do about it.  They'll respect you more for it, and they'll actually be able to pay attention in your class.

Answer 6

I allow 3 bathroom breaks per year, per student. No student should have more emergencies than that per year, unless they have a medical issue. If so, I just get a note from a parent or doctor and work out an individual plan with that student (usually allowing them to go as needed). If they know they're limited, it will cut down on the copycat effect of bathroom breaks, where one student asks, which is followed by 5 more. They know they're limited so they're less likely to waste them.  

Answer 7

For middle school, they should have decent bladder control. There is very little reason they would need to leave your class unless your classes are abnormal and more than 50-60 minutes. They should have plenty of time during passing time to run to a restroom. However, there is an exception to every rule. What I used to do with my 6th graders is tell them they owe me 3 minutes for every one minute they are gone (could be an extra homework or detention, anything that takes time) usually that limited my bathroom breaks to the kids who really needed to  go.

Answer 8

Ugh....the rushing visits to the bathroom within a 4 minute passing period while trying to race to your next class IS hard.  I tended to be one of the more sympathetic bathroom teachers around on my campus.  My basic rule was this: If you HAVE to go during passing time, come to my classroom first-drop off your books, and then tell me that you have to use the restroom.  So if that student (usually always the girls) walks in a minute or 2 after class I won't penalize them.  Same for the end of class-I might allow a student to go 2-3 minutes before the bell, and then return to class for their belongings.  I rarely allowed students out of the classroom during instructional time, but my colleagues have.  Some of them used a quarterly bathroom pass allowing them to go twice a quarter, but they had their own little rules as to when they can use them.  This is how they used them: the passes were printed up labeling the teacher's name and period.  Then the students signed their pass.  She printed them up on colored paper.  So their pass looked like this:

BATHROOM PASS

Mrs. Smith- Period 1

X________________(Student Signature)

Date used _______________

The teacher would collect the signed pass when the student used it, and then at the end of each quarter, collect ALL unused passes.  No more than 2 students per class can use a bathroom pass.  Each quarter, a new pass was issued on a different color.  Hang on to the passes in a ziploc baggie.  So if John Jones turns in a bathroom pass on Sept. 20th during 3rd period-and there is graffiti in the boy's room, that is your record of who used the bathroom from your classroom.

Good luck!

Answer 9

I gave out 3 emergency passes per quarter for bathroom and/or locker.  If they need more, I didn't prevent them from going, but they get a lunch detention.  If the DIDN"T use all three, then I gave out a reward at the end of the quarter for their unused passes.  Just for fun.  

Answer 10

Uggghhhh....I use to hate when I had an emergency and my teacher wouldn't let me go.  I thought I was going to explode most of the time.

Answer 11

I am in high school some of my teachers give out 2 bathroom passes per semester. but when they let the student go they write it down some where in there roll call. And it works good if you keep telling them that each person only has 2.

Answer 12

I can tell the "mom of three" has never taught in a public school. It is against most school policies for a teacher to leave a classroom to go to the bathroom. We do go during the breaks, and we do usually use the staff bathroom which for some reasons is always on the other side of the building.

There will always be students who abuse the system. After awhile you will know who they are. In my school the principal passed out a list of students who were not to be issued bathroom passes (caught with boyfriends, trips outside to smoke etc.) Just keep notes on who is going the most, and if necessary contact the parents and ask them if their child has a medical reason for missing class & the frequent bathroom visits.

Answer 13

Last year (my first year teaching middle school), I allowed students to sign themselves out, only one out of the room at a time, during "non-instructional" time. My thought was that kids would want to make use of class time to work instead of having homework. Also, they were old enough to know when they needed to go and deserved the respect of not having to ask for such a basic need.

NOW, it is my second year and I won't do anything so stupid again :o) While most of my students were responsible, I had those few students who abused it and have forced me to change my policy this upcoming year. Interestingly enough, those kids that abused it were also the kids that didn't turn in their homework anyway...LOL.

This year I am instituting a 5 pass per semester plan which includes bathroom breaks, drink breaks, and to pick up things students "forgot at their locker" breaks. If a student goes beyond that--s/he will owe me 5 minutes for every one minute out of class to be paid after school. If a student has any at the semester--I will give them extra credit or a homework pass for the next semester!

That's my plan unless I read something better under your question!  Good luck to you!

Answer 14

I am also a middle school teacher and I do limit the bathroom breaks given in my room. I usually use hang a clipboard beside my door - they sign out if they have to leave my room. Of course - if there is a true emergency where the child cannot take the time to sign out, I tell them to go!  But you know that there are always the students that will have an "emergency" every day if you allow it.  I do not usually allow my students to get up while I am talking or explaining some thing - that is just common courtesy.  I have tried to keep up with how many bathroom passes to give out - and that was more work for me than anything!! If you have some system where they know you are keeping up with it - then usually they won't ask everyday.  I hope this helps!

Answer 15

yes, I do 2 per semester - and if a student TRULEY has an emergency beyond that then they have to sign the "pass book" once they sign it a certain number of times (2 times for me - 3 would also be good) then they get a lunch detention.  It curbs those who just want to leave class everyday....But if you do have a student who has a legit "medical" reason to "go" frequently then you can get a note from home or the dr.