Trapped in Routine

Buffalo High School used to hum with student energy, but now, every passing time feels like a countdown, every lunch is rushed, and every pep rally is a rehearsal we have watched over and over. Every day, we move in the same predictable patterns. Administration means well, but the structure they have built while trying to accommodate state mandates has made all the days blur together.

As students, we are told where to sit, how long to eat, and the most famous sayings of “bell to bell, no cell” [no phones] and “first 10, last 10”, no going to the bathroom for the first 10 minutes and last 10 of class. 

It’s nothing terribly wrong, but over time, these actions have become repetitive. School has become a place for students to do what’s expected, without much room to breathe or be spontaneous. 

As a senior, Braelyn Raedel ‘26 is in the last class of students who experienced the four-period Block Schedule and BHS before the phone restrictions. She disagrees with the policies that have changed over time. 

“Between all the phone limits and shorter passing times, I feel like it’s really hard to connect with my friends at school,”  Readel ‘26 said. “During my freshman year, I felt like the students had more freedom, and it was easier to connect”. 

Braxton Teschendorf  ‘27 agrees with Readel and added that this level of control can impact the way students express themselves. 

“I feel like students’ creativity has plummeted as a result of being told exactly how everything is done,” Teschendorf said. “There is so much pressure to do everything exactly as told.” 

Some teachers reflect on old traditions at the school and talk about how students used to lead the pep rallies and involve the student body in past years. Now, from schoolwide assemblies or Homecoming candidate announcements, these rallies are led by the same Administrators.

“The recent focus of Pep Fests has been to increase engagement and attendance, including the change this year to move Pep Fests and assemblies to the middle of the day to prevent students from leaving school early,” Principal Mark Mischke said. 

Under the block schedule, students used to have longer minute passing times and are now cut down to 5 minutes. This can lead to long lines at bathrooms or uncomfortable waits at the start of classes.  Also, due to the new trimester system, making 4 lunches fit into an hour is almost impossible to do. Students are given a 30-minute lunch break, where our passing time is included, meaning that lunch periods only offer about 25 minutes of eating time, with 5 minutes of overlapping passing times between groups. This can lead to students feeling rushed at lunch when, for example, a B-Lunch student is standing with a full tray of food behind an A-Lunch student trying to finish their food. 

According to Minnesota’s state legislation, “A school district or charter school must adopt a policy on students’ possession and use of cell phones in school by March 15, 2025.” Our Administration is trying to uphold that law while trying to keep students engaged. 

“In the fall of 2024, the State required schools to have a phone policy,” Mischke said. “The goal of the‘First 10 and Last 10’, was to have teachers have a good start, engage students, and have them sit in their seats.” 

LLC ESP Angie McClellan agreed with both aspects.

“Pep rallies are for students, to boost their morale and love for the school. Who better to lead something for the student body other than students themselves,” McClellan said.“I understand that the Administration needs to have a hand in it, to make sure things go smoothly. I feel like a compromise between Admin and students could be met to make both groups happy.” 

Overall, the changes aren’t meant to harm, but they have slowly taken away freedom and excitement that used to define the days. Students agree that structure is important, but not at the cost of connections, creativity, and the feeling of school being a home. As the years continue, many hope for a change. One where students are trusted with responsibility, traditions of leading pep rallies are brought back, and where the school days feel less like a routine and more like a place where students can grow.