Many schools are grappling with the issue of students using phones during school hours. While some staff argue that smartphones can be valuable tools for learning and communication, many teachers believe they are a major distraction in class, with students often texting, browsing social media, or in some way not focusing on the lesson.
In response, schools across the country, including neighboring Lincoln high school, have implemented strict no-phone policies or required students to lock their devices in special pouches.
Stagg Administration is working on a policy to get students to do just that. According to teacher liaison communication, “Admin is currently looking at purchasing cell phone storage per class for enforcement. Recommendation is that it be locked and easily labeled to prevent mix up´s and damages.” However, some teachers are exploring ways to integrate phones into the curriculum, using apps and online resources to enhance learning.
Counselors had mixed emotions on the topic. Patricia Klopstock on board with this new policy. ¨I think anything to help the students not be on the phone every minute of the day would be very helpful,” she said. According to Klopstock, “I think if they get more distracted because they don’t have it on them, they have an addiction problem.”
Head counselor Brandon Alvarez was more in the middle. He was thinking about not just students but staff along the whole district. “I know it’s a very heated topic right now among schools, not necessarily just here at Stagg but all throughout the state of California. I think that in my opinion it’s good to draft a formal policy just so long [as] people have input on it.”
Alvarez also cared about the student’s comfort. He said, “As long everyone is in agreement and that if it’s in a box or bag, something the kids feel also comfortable with, I’m okay with that. I want to make sure there’s parent input with that.
When talking to Christopher Kleinert, a well known teacher and summer school principal, he was fairly on board with the policy. But one thing that did come to his concern is the safety of the students. “I still think today in this world students need to have a cell phone for safety reasons,” Kleinert said. ¨I like the idea of a caddy where it’s safe, it’s visible to everyone and you can see your phone but students they’re not distracted by their phone and they can do their school work. I think it’d be a, you know, a win win.¨
Senior Jayden Inthasak-Kim thought the new phone policy would be a better idea. ¨I feel like the newer generations [of] freshmen are gonna be on their phones way more.¨ He believes that they deserve more learning time. ¨I think they deserve a little less phone time and more of like school time.¨
