A sign posted on the Freshmen Academy door notifies students that cellphones are prohibited in the building. The security of the Freshmen Academy building is tightening the reins on the strict “no phone” policy that had been in effect all school year. “I think most teachers are being consistent about it and students are responding appropriately,” math department teacher Heather Julian said.
By DELIA ADAMSON – News Writer
Freshman Academy staff has tightened the cell phone policy in attempt to remove all loopholes.
As of this semester, the Freshmen Academy teachers have started tightening up the enforced no-phone policy.
“The consequences are put in place to deter people from having their cell phones out in class and you must have a strict policy, otherwise you will just keep going around in circles,” assistant principal Reginald Thomas said.
One of the transitions that the policy has made, is that when a student gets their phone taken and handed over peacefully, a parent or guardian can pick the student’s phone up on the next Thursday.
“If they have it out, the best thing to do is to give it up and have a parent or guardian come and get it on Thursday. That’s the best if you get caught with it out, that’s the best ride you can take,” Thomas said.
If the students refuse to surrender their phones, they will face consequences.
“If you don’t give it up, then you’re going home unless there would have to be some real extreme circumstances, but that usually doesn’t happen,” Thomas said.
If a student chooses not to hand over their cell phone peacefully and without conflict, the student will face two days of out of school suspension.
As the cell phone policy becomes more strict, students have thought twice about about taking out their cell phone during class time.
“I am not getting as many (phones) as I used to do, because I used to get them to give them to me and give them back at the end of the day, but I am not getting that many anymore,” Thomas said.
While some students have problems accepting the policy, others do not.
“I know a lot of people don’t like (the policy) because they want to use their phone and stuff, but I mean for the purpose of education, the reason why you go to school, it’s probably alright,” freshman Sam Ivy said.
Teachers have also noticed the decline in having to apprehend cell phones from the students.
“I think overall it’s going well. I think most teachers are being consistent about it, and students are responding appropriately,” math department teacher Heather Julian said.
