Hopedale Jr. Sr. High School is kicking off the school year with a brand new policy. More specifically, a new cell phone policy. Students in grades 7 through 12 are now required to keep their personal cellular devices in their bags or locker from the first bell of the school day at 7:40 a.m. to the last bell at 2:05 p.m. 

Thoughts about the new rule vary between each student, each with their own mixed reactions and even some questioning. With a policy created with the intent of increased focus and connection in the school environment, there is some frustration to this new adjustment. When put into perspective, however, is staying off your phone throughout the school day really all that bad?

Students all over the country face one common distraction factor in their learning environments: cell phones. Cell phone usage has become increasingly popular over the past several years with the introduction of new apps, technology, and more. Many students enjoy having their phones throughout school during the day, using it during breaks, lunch, as a way to text their friends and parents. Considering all of the positives to using cell phones during the school day, there are about an equal number of negatives to counter them. Schoolwork being turned in late, lack of personal connection, cheating, and using the device as a way to disengage from a lesson are all ways in which the cons of having a phone in school outweigh the benefits. 

With all of these concerns of cell phone usage, the new cell phone policy was implemented in efforts to create a more engaging school environment. 

About a month into the school year, students are already realizing the benefits of a distraction-free school day. Dissatisfaction with the recent change has quickly turned into approval from one 7th grade student who stated that, “It helps you focus on school and have less distractions.” This proves that getting work done in school and staying concentrated during the day has become increasingly easier this school year. She also said engagement with her peers has also been boosted since the revision of devices helps to, “make conversations rather than people staring at their phones all day.” Student interaction is a key part of the development of many teens and individuals in the classroom. By enhancing their relationships and bonding with one another, it just goes to show that staying off of the phones is not so bad after all. 

Students are able to make new friends and interact with new classmates an increasing amount since they are no longer locked onto their phones.

Staying off your cellular device throughout a good portion of your day has also been found to be somewhat of a reset and relief to several students. One particular 11th grader mentioned that she feels more accomplished throughout the day, stating, “The new cell phone policy helps me focus and get my work done during my directed periods. I find it refreshing to have several hours off of my phone each day and it makes me feel more productive!” Success in school is often rooted in how much a student is able to get done during the day with minimized distractions. Feeling more productive and putting more effort into academic performance both go to show how the new rule is positively affecting the students and even their school career. Many students make an effort to get their work done in class, leaving more time to finish their homework in class and eventually, more free time at the end of the day.

Students aren’t the only ones noticing the changes with the new cell phone rules, many teachers are too. The overall behavior of students in class since the change has been significantly better and the policy truly is working well throughout the building. 

Tenth grade English teacher Mrs. Hodgens mentioned that the adjustment “... has been wonderful. I have not had a single incident where students have had their phone out when they shouldn’t. My students seem more engaged and ready to learn.” Students are able to focus more on their work and their academics without the distraction of a phone. There is also less room for repeatedly telling students to put away their personal devices because now, they already know to keep them away. Not only have there been benefits in the classroom, but outside of the classroom too. Mrs. Hodgens mentioned that “bathroom requests have been less frequent because students need to leave to get on their phones.” While there was once a time where students would leave the classroom to scroll through their cell phones and skip class, that is no longer a worry to any teachers. 

The improvement of the school environment is seen throughout the building as well. Media center specialist, Mrs. Brossi, teaches middle school, sophomores, and gets a look at all grades who spend time in the media center. She mentioned that, “since implementing the new phone policy, students are more engaged in class, talking to one another, and overall there’s less distractions.” Students are more involved in class and spend more time interacting with each other since having less distractions.

A face to face environment is one of the biggest positives of the new cell phone rule. Everyone is able to interact with each other and create a happier and healthier environment. Not just for students, but also for teachers. With the ability to spend less time trying to gain attention from students, teachers are able to quickly get through a lesson plan or explanation, giving more individual work time to each member of the class. Benefits can be seen for everyone in the building.

While adjusting to a new rule throughout the school day may take time, especially for those who have gone throughout most of high school with the ability to use their phones, the benefits of this new policy make it worth the change. Creating a more focused and productive learning space while also increasing the connection between each student, the overall environment of the school is changing for the better. Students should not view this as a restriction, but rather as an opportunity to grow and to progress in school without their devices. After all, staying off your phone just during school hours is truly not as bad as it may seem.