New school-wide technology policies are likely to be implemented in the second semester. 

If instated, phones, along with other personal devices, would not be allowed on a student while in an academic class.

“Basically, students would have to put their phones in their backpacks and put their backpacks in the front of the class,” said chemistry teacher Jordan Turner. “This would only apply for academic classes, so in study blocks, lunch, and advisory you would be able to use your phone.”     

Administrators began discussing this policy after a great deal of frustration was expressed by teachers over students being distracted by their devices.

“We have reached a point where [personal devices] are a tremendous disruption to the instructional time… The people in charge of advisory have come up with some informational videos, so [students] can watch how detrimental this level of cellphone use can be to any individual,” said Principal Dr. Claire LeBlanc. 

Because each teacher has different rules when it comes to personal devices in the classroom, there would be exceptions to this policy.

“A teacher can give you permission to use your phone if they choose… I never wanted to make this a blanket statement and take that power away from a teacher,” said LeBlanc. 

Many teachers agree that if this policy were to go into effect, it would positively impact the learning environment. 

“I think that this policy would greatly improve instructional time. Kids are so distracted by their phones in class… Even if the phone is just sitting on their desk, they’re compelled to check their text messages or spend five minutes finding the right song to listen to while working. It’s just such a distraction,” said English teacher Sarah Burford.

This policy is still being discussed among teachers and administrative staff, but the hope is to enforce it during fourth quarter.

“What I just sent out in the newsletter to faculty and staff is that in these third nine weeks, I want to have a soft entry into the phone policy…and I haven’t fully decided yet, but maybe in the last nine weeks we’ll enforce it school-wide,” said LeBlanc.