At our school, the new phone policy has changed the daily experience for both students and teachers. While the policy was introduced to improve focus and reduce distractions, its impact goes beyond academics. The policy has created both positive improvements and new frustrations, especially for students, although some teachers say they have noticed a difference in classroom attention.

“It plays a big effect on our students because they live through their phones. It doesn’t have a major effect on staff because half of the time we are working with students,” said Coach Jerrick Ayers.

Without constant notifications and social media distractions, students are more likely to participate in discussions and stay on task. Some teachers also believe that assignment completion has improved because students are not multitasking during instruction.

However, from a student’s perspective, the policy feels much stricter. Some students believe the rules go too far, especially during lunch and when students are done with work.

“I understand not having phones in class, but not being able to use them at lunch feels unnecessary,” said sophomore Angel Baber.

For many students, lunch used to be a time to relax, check messages, or scroll through social media. Now, some students feel that even their break time is being controlled.

Another possible effect at the school is that students may have become more secretive. Because phones are not allowed, some students try to hide them in hoodies, under tables, or in bathrooms.

“People are just sneakier now. They’re still on their phones. They’re just better at hiding it,” said 8th grader Lilith Cannizzaro. This can create tension between students and staff, as enforcement may become a daily challenge.

Some students express frustration about consistency, feeling that the rules are unfair. “It’s hard to take the rule seriously when teachers are on their phones too,” said sophomore MaKayla Fitzgerald.

Despite the complaints, there is some evidence that the policy has had some positive social changes, such as students talking face-to-face during lunch instead of sitting silently on their devices.

“It affects the younger gradesmen because it’s so new to them, with them coming into a new school and now, the phone policy. The upper gradesmen understand they are just stubborn,” said FCHS teacher Justin Boucher.