Cell phones play a big role in people’s everyday life no matter what the use is. Everyone is on their phone multiple times throughout the day; however, this started to cause some problems within Collinsville High School such as less focus within class rooms and less engagement with lessons. This caused the administration at Collinsville High School to introduce a policy restricting phones within classrooms and hallways. If you want to take your phone out you have to wait until your lunch hour where that is the only time and place you are allowed to be on your cell phone.
The cell phone policy isn’t going to be easy to enforce and there will always be some people that make it difficult to enforce the rules. However, when asked if students have been cooperative with the cell phone policy Mr. Wright, the principal at Collinsville High School, said “I think, for the most part, students have been cooperative with the cell phone policy. There are a few outliers, but that is to be expected.”
Students have different feelings about this new policy whether they think that it’s good and they like the change or if they don’t agree with it. “I personally feel like the policy is a needed change, ” said Mr. Wright Cell phones distract students from learning, and lead to more major disruptions than almost anything else at CHS.
However, Jazlyn Caldera, a junior student at Collinsville High School said, “I don’t mind the cell phone policy and I do think that it has helped me focus more due to me not thinking about my phone, but I would like to see a change where we could use them more during times that we have free, such as during study halls.”
Staff was also asked if they think there are any changes that they think should be made to the policy or if they think it’s in a good spot where it is.
Mr. Wright stated, “As of right now I think it is too early to tell if any changes need to be made. If I had to answer that question right now, I would say it is good as is.” Ms. Gualdoni, a teacher at Collinsville High School was also asked about any changes and she explained, “Baby steps. Everything needs to be taken slowly and we need to focus on this current policy.”
Students and staff were asked if they have seen better focus within the classrooms since the introduction of the cell phone policy. Ms. Gualdoni noted, “One hundred percent, yes!!! I have noticed more social interaction, participation, and turning in assignments! I am so so so happy and pleased with how this new policy impacts inside the classroom. I no longer have to compete for attention with cell phones, and I know more students are following along with the material.”
Students are noticing the change too. Jazlyn Caldera replied, “I have noticed I tend to focus more within my classes now and feel like the things we are doing in the classes are more fun and easier to engage with since I’m no longer allowed to be on my phone in my classes.”
