As Westwood plans to implement the new statewide ban on cell phones, students are already uneasy about how this will affect their school life and teachers are excited about the prospect of uninterrupted teaching.
In a previous email sent to students and parents by Richland School District 2, it stated, “Starting in January, you won’t be able to use phones or personal devices during the school day.”
Richland 2 has coined this new policy “Free to focus,” suggesting that students will be more focused in class without their phones, or other non-school related devices, to distract them.
This new mandate is set to eliminate students’ cell phone usage during the school day, this includes in the classroom, the lunchroom, and hallways. As January 1st gradually becomes closer, this topic is at its highest.
Mrs. Santiago-Green, an English 1 teacher, at the castle, shares some struggles she’s had with cell phone usage in her class.
“Students are distracted when trying to complete their work in my class causing them not to get their work done and their grades drop. This new policy could work in the teacher’s favor if students follow all rules correctly.”
While the ban potentially relieves some stress for teachers, it also has the potential to help students build relationships with their peers and teachers, regain their attention in extra-curriculars, and encourage them to realize life exists outside of cell phones.
Still, as much as the Free to Focus policy serves to empower students academically, the ban also presents many challenges for students, not just here at Westwood, but throughout the district.
The ban will affect how students communicate with their parents about safety issues and daily requests and responsibilities their parents set for them.
Trey Cleveland III, a sophomore from Westwood High School states, “The new cell phone ban is going to affect students badly because teachers will not be able to contact parents fast enough in case of any emergencies.”
He also mentions that there are other alternatives instead of putting his phone in baggies. However, the school did not state that students are required to put their phones in bags. The only expectation is that students turn their phones off and put them in their bookbags upon entering the school.
Outside of Westwood, other schools are also implementing this new phone policy, as it is a statewide mandate. According to Johns Hopkins University, several schools outside of our state are also introducing this new cell phone ban policy.
A student from Ridgeview talks about how teachers at their school are reminding them every day that this new policy is about to be set in stone.
“Teachers at my school are always reminding us students how we need to start practicing for when January comes around.”
Florida has enacted a similar ban to ours, stating that all wired communication devices must be powered off and placed in a designated area decided by teachers, plenty more states have stated this as well.
According to the article, “What to Know about Virginia’s Guidance for Banning Cellphones in Schools”, Gina Cook noted that Virginia students already turn off their phones throughout the school day, including lunch.
The mandate affects both teachers and students in potentially positive and negative ways. Some students are uncomfortable with this being proposed as a policy while teachers are hopeful for positive outcomes.
