WHS administration opened the former girls’ bathroom in the front hallway last week as a gender-neutral option for the 2023-2024 school year.

The bathroom will be in use for the first time since its initial closing due to several incidents involving antisemitic graffiti in 2021. Assistant Principal Jim DeSarno said this space is convenient for its first year because it is “in a location where we would have staff members that could be in the area,” allowing administration to “see the value to the students who are using it.”

Principal Mary Asfendis also supports this new location due to its proximity to the main gym, saying that students may also “use the gender neutral bathroom for changing for phys-ed, if they prefer that.”

The bathroom will remain locked throughout the school day, with a key available at the desk in front of the main doors and a backup key available in Office A. It will also only allow one student at a time in order for administration to “get a sense of how often it is being used and if it accommodates the number of students who would like to use it,” according to Asfendis.

Some students, like senior Sean Koenke, questioned whether or not they will be able to use this bathroom, as Koenke fears being denied access even though he “would love the privacy it provides.” However, Asfendis clarified that the administration “wants it to be available for those who need it” and that “no students will be denied entry.”

This is not the first gender-neutral bathroom to be open in WHS. Previously, the bathroom in the health office has been allocated as such and will remain open as a secondary option. Under state guidance, the district is encouraged to offer gender-neutral options to support students’ comfort and privacy.

Senior Kate Finn plans to use the gender-neutral bathroom, but they think the key system makes it “kind of annoying to get in to.” However, Finn’s general thoughts are positive and they believe it is “a great start” for the WHS community.