The flags of many countries from around the world have been hanging in the Francis Howell North commons for over a decade and have been a staple of the area so frequented by students and staff. Recently, after a visit from the Fire Marshall, the school has been asked to remove the flags from the ceilings.“They have a lot of authority,” Associate Principal Jack Amis said. “If they tell you fix something, they will come back to see if it’s fixed, and if it’s not fixed they can shut you down.”
The flags would pose a threat in the event of a fire because they would interfere with the proper use of the sprinkler system. The sprinklers are set up so that they spray in a cone shape and overlap the other sprinklers. With the flags being hung up, the sprinklers wouldn’t be able to overlap, rendering the sprinklers less effective.
Administration saw no reason to throw away the flags, so the flags were given away to clubs and staff members. StuCo was one of the clubs that received flags, and they plan to incorporate the flags into the homecoming dance.Some students weren’t too excited about the change. However, other clubs at the school embrace the removal of the flags.
“We have the winter dance in the commons and the flags look out of place and cluttered,” StuCo Co-Sponsor, Jani Wilkens said. “Now it looks really clean and organized.”
