sweep room

n. a place in which tardy students are detained in lieu of sending them to their classes. Subjects: English, Education, Jargon

Etymological Note: So named because students are gathered in searching sweeps of hallways and grounds.

Comments? | Cites | Permalink | Tell a Friend

Citations: 2000 Lisa Kernek State Journal-Register (Springfield, Illinois) (Jan. 21) “Lanphier’s unpopular ‘sweeps’ ; Students balk at measure to clear hallways on time” p. 1: Also at Lanphier, beginning Monday, administrators will make sweeps of the hallways when the bell rings at the beginning of the first morning class and the first afternoon class. Teachers will close their classroom doors when class begins, and administrators will herd any laggards caught in hallways or restrooms to a designated “sweep room.” 2004 Elissa Gootman New York Times (Mar. 25) “Crime Falls as Citations Surge In Schools With Extra Officers” p. 3: There is a “sweep room” for students caught cutting class, and a new detention room, where students caught committing infractions like wearing hats or using portable CD players are sent for a couple of hours after school. 2006 Jason Miller News-Dispatch (Michigan City, Indiana) (Sept. 15) “Contrary to rumors, it was a normal day at high school”: The school also uses what’s called a “sweep room,” where students spend the hour if they’re found wandering the halls after the period bell has rung.

Posted 5 Oct 06 | Permalink | Tell a Friend