Teachers and students have been dueling over phone use in classrooms since they were first introduced to the public. With many people being heavily set in their beliefs on the issue, debates are heated about the involvement phones should play in the classroom.
This year, NRHS has adopted a new policy that requires that students place their phones in holders before the beginning of class. Families were first made aware of this change during the summer via email. Phones will now go in a dedicated hanger and students will not be allowed to take phones to the bathroom, but they will be able to use them during passing, lunch, and directed study periods. Most students understand the rules and take no issue with this aspect of the system. However, several students have had issues with the policy regarding phones in a teacher-absence study. Senior, Emma D., stated, “ I get the no phones in class thing, but why can’t I use it if my teacher is out?” Other students have qualms about not being allowed to listen to music or contact parents in the case of an emergency. For instance, Colin C., stated, “I understand where they are coming from because they want the student body to perform better and they have studies to back up their reasoning, but I think there are some flaws in the policy. Mostly how we cannot listen to music in class even when allowed to, or the length in which we have to go just to text our parents.” This student went on to discuss how the district’s response to the worries of contacting parents would not suffice in the event of an emergency. Would parents be able to reach their children urgently enough? Administrators collected feedback on these worries and issued a response. The reply focused on the positive effects of removing phones from the school atmosphere and mentioned some possible solutions for issues that arise from the phones’ removal. For instance, one of these suggestions was to talk to a trusted adult in the building, if upset, instead of trying to contact home immediately.
On the other hand, the take of the new policy from teachers has been positive. Teachers have been battling with phones for the attention of their pupils for years now. “It will do more good than bad,” offered Mr. Haack. “Just from the first few days, there has been more engagement, from both the students and the teachers. People will get used to it.” The issue of students not paying attention in the classroom seemingly has been relieved due to this new policy. Another educator at Nashoba, Mrs. Foley-Procko, stated, “I feel that it has been really helpful, and students are more focused. I feel less stressed because I am no longer using class time to tell kids to put their phones back in their backpacks or to take out their earbuds. Students have been extremely cooperative and the school year is off to a great start.” Teachers are optimistic that the students will stick to this new protocol and adapt. Despite the challenges the educators have been enduring for years now, there seems to be a change in the culture.
The positive effects of the policy are clear in how students are being more attentive, while concerns remain about contacting parents in an emergency. Regardless of anyone’s view on this issue, it is important to acknowledge that this is a huge change that everyone will need time to adjust.
