Have you ever wanted more privileges and freedom when it comes to becoming an adult? Well thanks to Allen High School, that freedom is now within grasp.

Last November, Sachse administrators went to a leadership conference at Allen High School where they observed AHS students wearing clothes that would have been against our dress code. The AHS principal explained the Trust Card system and the concept of  shifting the mindset from a discipline conversation to an academic conversation. 

“We want students to be able to make good decisions, so they can have these choices, but if they can’t make good decisions then we’ll make the choices for them,” activities director Lauren Ellis said.  Ellis was part of the team that observed the Trust Cards in action at AHS.

The biggest advantage with the Trust Card is the more relaxed dress code. Students can now wear ripped jeans and shorts as long as the tear is not bigger than the ID card, and the rips must fall below the fingertips. Shorts have to be long enough that a shirt does not completely cover them up. Hats, hoodies and durags are acceptable as long as earbuds are not being used. Piercings are allowed with a Trust Card as well.

“It is better now because last year we did not have one, and we could not wear ripped jeans, hats and hoods,” junior Jhustin Harp says.

Having a Trust Card enables students to get into pep rallies and attend football games in the student section. The card acts as a pass to morning and after school tutorials as well. If you don’t have a Trust Card you can still attend tutorials, you just need a note from a parent or guardian or a  teacher pass.

“I feel great about this choice because we get into tutorials without any hassle about having a written pass,” Harp said. “Getting into football games is great because the whole process is easier.”

A trust card is a two way street. In order to keep one, students have to be upholding good behavior and following school rules; otherwise,  the card can be taken away. Ways to lose your card include fighting, skipping classes, loss of credit because of attendance, suspension, too many dress code violations and the confiscation of a cell phone. Earning it back is up to vice principal administration. 

“The trust cards are a step in the right direction in trying to get students to wear IDs,” junior Sam Martinez says. “The Trust Cards are an easy way to keep track of kids who are allowed to do certain activities.”

Ellis said as the year goes on, more things will hopefully be rolled out like privileged seating at lunches and Uber eats. Other privileges might include periods like study hall for relaxing and playing games like ping pong, pool, so free time is built into a student’s schedule. These possibilities are not confirmed because of current coronavirus social distancing issues.

“Down the road, we do see more things,” Ellis said. “And that’s where we want to get to a non-traditional feel, having these extra freedoms if you’re getting your business done.”