One thing at Park that is inevitable during the winter months, and the ones leading up to them, is the sniffling in the classroom and the harsh blows that fill a quiet room with loud sounds. Students, including myself, are always searching for tissues, often leading them to the bathroom to use rough paper towels or wipe their noses on their sleeves. Schools should provide Kleenex as a basic necessity, just like soap and paper towels in the bathrooms.
One of the main reasons schools should provide tissues is to help control the spread of germs during the colder months. Without tissues, students are more likely to transfer bacteria and viruses by touching desks, door handles and shared supplies. This increase in bacteria in Park can lead to students missing class due to illness, eventually falling behind. In addition to students being out sick, teachers are also missing class, which can be detrimental to the pacing of their teaching schedules, especially for AP and IB classes. Providing tissues in classrooms—along with hand sanitizer—can reduce the spread of germs and promote better hygiene at Park.
Additionally, it can be difficult for teachers to provide tissues themselves, and the cost-benefit ratio for the school to supply them is much lower than that of individual teachers. Compared to other school expenses, tissues represent a small cost, similar to toilet paper or paper towels. Furthermore, many other public places, such as businesses and offices, supply tissues as a necessity. Including tissues in the budget would not lead to a significant financial shift, but would significantly improve student comfort and cleanliness at Park.
As a student who struggles to run to the bathroom every time I’m in a class without tissues, I find it distracting. It takes time away from the lectures and the supposed learning that Park promotes. When a student feels the need to get up every once in a while to blow their nose, it’s much more efficient to walk across the classroom than to make a SmartPass and take the time to travel to the bathroom. This “bathroom” time should otherwise be used to focus on lectures and assignments. In addition, SmartPass is limited to three a day for students and can also not be used in the first and last ten minutes of class, which limits the number of times they can blow their nose. Some might suggest staying in class and managing it, but a runny nose can distract students from lectures or assignments. Having tissues readily available allows students to quickly take care of themselves and return to class without disruptions.
Tissues shouldn’t be a luxury—they’re essential for maintaining hygiene and comfort in the classroom. Providing tissues is a significant step Park should take to support students’ well-being. Ensuring that tissues are always available allows students to focus on their lesson rather than worrying about sniffles or disruptions caused by illness. A healthier classroom means fewer distractions, improved concentration and a more positive learning experience for all Park students.
