This school year, administrators rolled out a brand new cell phone policy, and it’s already the talk of the hallways. The policy states that phones must be put away during class time— no texting, scrolling, or checking notifications until the bell rings. Students may only use phones before school, during lunch, and after school.
According to Principal Wood, the goal is to “help students stay focused on learning and cut down on distractions.” Teachers have been instructed to collect phones at the beginning of class and using them without permission could result in parent contact or detention.
Reactions from the student body have been mixed. Class of 2026, Treasurer Albani described the policy as “unnecessary” and a “waste of time.” Another student called it “very unrealistic, dangerous, horrible,” and argued that the school “waited too long to make rules like this, should have implemented a strike system, and kids should take responsibility.” Some even went as far as to say they hate it.
Still, not everyone opposes the new policy. A junior admitted, “I used to check TikTok every few minutes, but now I focus more during class.”
Teachers are also weighing in. Several have reported fewer interruptions during lessons. “It’s refreshing to see more eye contact and actual conversations happening,” said Ms. Ripegno.
The debate over cell phones in schools isn’t new. Across the country, many districts are grappling with how to balance technology use with classroom focus. For now, our school is committed to this stricter approach, with administrators promising to review its impact at the end of the semester.
Ultimately, we can infer that cell phones are no longer the center of attention in the classroom.
