SCHOOLS WEIGH CELL PHONE USE

    This year, many schools have been taking a new rule of banning students’ cell phones under consideration or have even started enforcing it as a new policy. So far, nine states have made laws or policies for banning phones in K-12 schools and classrooms. Ohio, Indiana, Oklahoma and Florida have already set statewide restrictions on using cellular devices during school hours. Florida being the first of the states to ban cell phones, started the trend of other states slowly following suit. 
    This year, many schools around South Dakota have also started banning the use of cellular devices. Some schools have been pretty lenient on the rules, like allowing them during passing periods and permitting them during class free time, while others have been stricter by locking the devices up or completely not allowing them at school. Gettysburg, Kimball and Platte-Geddes are some of the South Dakota school districts that have started enacting new cell phone policies. 
    Waubay being one of these schools, has also started becoming more strict on phones in school. Cell phones and headphones are no longer allowed in the classroom. Waubay elementary students are asked to leave their cellular devices at home, junior high kids are asked to leave them in their lockers throughout the day, and high school students are allowed to have their phones on them during the day. The high school students are allowed to access them in between passing periods and during lunch but are asked to keep them out of sight during class time.
    Britton-Hecla’s phone policy is quite similar to Waubay. It involves a three-strike penalty. According to the BH’s phone policy, if a student gets caught with their cellular device the first time, the phone will be confiscated and sent down to the office. The student may pick it up at the end of day. 
    After the second time being caught, the phone will again be confiscated and sent down to the office. This time, the parents will be notified and asked to come retrieve the phone. If the parent is unable to, the phone may be checked into the office daily. After the third offense, the student will have it confiscated and picked up by a guardian. For the remainder of the year the student will have to turn in their phone to the office on a daily basis.
    Some other schools like to use more extreme policies. For instance, when the students arrive at school for the day, they will place their phone in a small pouch, not much bigger than the phone, and secure it in the bag. The students are then allowed to carry the pouch around with them throughout the day without being able to access their device. At the end of the day as the student is leaving, a special magnet is used to unlock the pouch and give access back to the student. Schools like Gettysburg have recently started trying these new policies out.
    While some parents and administrators agree with the tactic of more extreme cases like locking up kids’ cell phones, there have been a lot of parents who are not okay with not being able to contact their child throughout the day. 
    Britton - Hecla High School Principal Carrie James was asked about her opinion on the ban of cell phones. When asked what she thought would be the best course of action, she strongly voiced that she thinks Britton-Hecla’s policies were the best way to go about it. 
“I think what we have is pretty good,” said James. She emphasized that what Britton-Hecla is doing is what she thinks is best for the students and even the teachers. She explained that it was better for the teachers to focus on their lessons rather than looking out for who has their cell phones out. 
A Britton-Hecla student was asked about their view on the subject. They thought that if some kids are going to be on their phones when it is not an appropriate time, they should get it taken away, but if you are given free time you should be able to use your phone. “People are going to be dumb with them anyways,” they added. 
    Another student also said, “It’s the right idea, but they need a better plan for execution.”
    The future of cell phone policies is hard to predict. But it seems that schools will keep getting stricter on cell phones.
    To find more information about Britton-Hecla’s phone policy, visit the school’s website and search “6025 Student Cell Phone and Other Electronic Devices.”