One of the biggest changes at PHS this year is the stricter cellphone policy.  As soon as students enter a classroom, they must put their phones in a cellphone “garage” hanging in the classroom.  Cellphones must stay there until the end of class.  Students can have their phones in between classes, before and after school, and during lunch. Students who refuse to comply may lose privileges, such as the ability to participate in or attend school activities.

According to Mr. Will, there are several reasons for the new policy.  He knew that a lot of the teachers had rules of their own in class, but he wanted to make it universal, so that students in every class have to put their phones up and not be on them. Another reason for the new policy is the effect being on our phones during class was having on our grades.  Many schools now are aware of the negative effect of cellphones on learning, which is why so many schools are adopting similar policies.

While teachers and administrators are, of course, big fans of the new policy, not all students are as quick to see the positive sides of the policy.  Most of the students we talked to said they liked the new policy, but they wished there were a few changes, for example, with their ability to listen to music.  Some students said they had trouble focusing without being able to listen to music.

One student said they understood why we can’t be on our phones or even listening to music while the teachers are teaching, but they wished cellphones were allowed when teachers were not teaching.

Another student said, “Good intentions, but it sucks for some kids who get their work done and who are not on their phones. ¨

The school does have good intentions for students. PHS just wants its students to have a good education and good grades. They don’t want to have to take students out of sports or out of school activities, but they want students to understand that the cellphone policy had to change.