Rules are rules.

If we sign a document agreeing to abide by them, we must also conform to what we think of as the insignificant ones.

Many teens ignore the “petty” rules, such as dress code, gum-chewing or eating in class. Disregarding a rule, however, is defined as breaking a code, on any level.

Every school year, students sign the student handbook, indicating their agreement with guidelines and promise to obey all of them.

It’s important to follow the rules even the ones some may think serve no purpose.

Each rule has a purpose. Whether one agrees with the rule or not, one must not break it. One has no choice. It must be followed.

Eating isn’t allowed in classrooms because the school has a major ant problem. Leftover or spilled food draws the insects into even third floor rooms. The ant problem has actually called for professional exterminators on occasion.

A more serious problem is rats. Leaving food in classrooms can draw rats which can smell food from far distances and climb vertically. It is very difficult to remove rats even with professional help.

Chewing gum is prohibited because too often students have stuck their chewed gum beneath desks or chairs, on the floor or outside on the sidewalks and ruined school property, prompting unnecessary spending to resolve the problem.

It is important to understand why rules are in place. Nothing is for no reason.

If students intentionally ignore even the smallest rules, what then is another “small” rule? What then is “insignificant”?