It was a mundane Monday morning. I was doing my Spanish homework in my free period when the clock struck 9:40.

Time to go have a quick paper conference with Mr. Heaphy! I thought.

I innocently cruised through the halls, whistling and organizing my thoughts about what I needed to ask about regarding my paper.

Finally I reached the social studies department to my left and entered. But what I entered was not the social studies department. I had stepped into the security system of the Oval office.

Ms. Evans, a kind secretary with a sweet British accent was in front of me. I brushed past her, expecting to easily reach Mr. Heaphy’s cubicle.

Boy, was I wrong.

“Who are you here to see?” Ms. Evans quickly asked me before I could get much further.

Caught off guard, I replied that I had a conference with Mr. Heaphy.

“Do you have an appointment?”

Uh, if by appointment you mean the verbal exchange of:

“Hey. Mr. Heaphy is it cool if I come by period 3 on Monday to discuss my paper with you?”

“See ya then, Fernandez”

Then yes, I have an appointment.

So she phoned Mr. Heaphy’s cubicle, a full twenty feet away, to ensure that I was allowed to see him.

“You may go,” she reported. Apparently I was deemed harmless.

After standing before Ms. Evans’ desk for an excruciating 4 minutes waiting to be cleared to go visit my U.S. history teacher, all I was wondering is what’s the next line of security? When I finally reached his cubicle after the 15-second walk I expected to be patted down by large and intimidating security guards. Or perhaps I would have to do a finger scan to verify that I am a Staples Student. Or even take a lie detector test.

But thankfully, when I arrived at his desk, only Mr. Heaphy greeted me, no body-builder-sized men dressed in black suits and sunglasses.

Apparently this new security system is implemented in order to prevent student misconduct in the social studies department.

“We have had incidents of theft in the past, and have had situations where students have potentially overheard confidential telephone calls or teacher conversations.  Earlier this year, a student was caught going into a teacher’s desk drawer without permission,” James D’Amico, head of the social studies department said.

So in reality, it probably makes sense that Ms. Evans has been assigned to take these measures. However, I will just have to be more prepared next time I plan to visit my social studies teacher and bring my passport, ID, birth certificate, and social security number.