This year’s update on the phone policy has affected both teachers and students in different ways since the beginning of the year. As the students have gotten into a routine like senior Madison Koke, many teachers such as history teacher Mrs. Manker and science teacher Mr. Torgoley has found the phone policy to be a positive addition to their classrooms. While there are still mixed emotions surrounding the students, most students agree the punishments are severe but are effective.
“I haven’t gotten in trouble, but I do think the consequences are pretty harsh. But then again, they did tell us that at the beginning of the year, so I guess it’s fair,” said Koke.
Teachers have enjoyed this new implementation into the school day, not only because it keeps students distraction-free but also allows them to think more creatively and involve themselves in the classroom more.
“It is creating more incentive for students to remain on task during class. I believe there is a benefit of students having a set time where they know they are going to be disconnected from their phones and it provides some space for minds to wander a bit. Even a little boredom can actually be good for the creative thought process,” said Mrs. Manker.
Students and teachers agree that the after-school detentions have made students more motivated to not look at their phones while still having times when they can. Most teachers agree that there is always a time and place where students can appropriately go on their phones without consequences.
“I do think that for some students, just the idea of getting their phone taken away and getting an after-school detention definitely motivates them to stay off of it though,” said Koke.
Having a routine has also solved this problem since most teachers will give their students a warning after the bell rings to put away their phones and let them get their phones out before class ends for a few minutes to check it.
“It’s worked pretty well so far honestly. I think it’s a good mix of giving the students phone freedom while keeping them in check during classroom time,” said Mr. Torgoley.
Overall, it seems that the phone policy has things running smoothly with less distractions and more students under control and it looks like the policy is going to stick around for the time-being.
“I think the policy is working pretty well, especially as it is first being introduced and we know it always takes a while to build any new habit, phones are especially challenging because we use them for so many different purposes it takes a while to learn to adjust to a new no-phone system,” said Manker.
