Starting in the Fall 2022 school year the EHHS administration began a new cell phone policy inside of all classrooms. All students are expected to turn in their cell phones to the teacher’s collection pockets or bins at the start of class.
The school is taking a restorative approach in order to start improving relationships between students and teachers as well as increasing their academic success. Sometimes phones can be misused. For example, when students see a fight between other students, their first instinct is to whip out their phones and record. With the new cell phone policy this can be avoided and cause fewer issues between students during the school day. Along with improved relationships throughout the school, students are becoming less distracted and more engaged in learning experiences. EHHS Principal, Mr. Vincent DeNuzzo said that phones aren’t a “security blanket” and anything can happen; that is life.
Currently, cell phone use in school is considered the top distraction for students. No one leaves their phones just anywhere on purpose, they are basically attached to us; we are addicted. Studies have proven that long term use of phones creates people to have a half-attention span and when given a long sentence that requires slow and focused attention, they will start glancing around looking for something more exciting and entertaining.
The students and staff definitely do have their own opinions in the new policy. Teachers like English teacher, Ms. Sara Chilone and Social Studies teacher, Mr. Paul Albano both have the same opinion: The new policy is beneficial to all. They both agreed that the policy brought them closer to their students and built better relationships and conversation. Our own students at EHHS also agreed that the policy is beneficial like, senior Rocco Lombardi who stated he doesn’t see any negatives (except that he doesn’t have his phone) and that he finds himself less distracted in class. Some would not agree. Senior Devon Negron and junior Natalia Pelaez both agreed that phones should just be kept in our backpacks and taken away with reason. The policy is here to stay for now and students will get back on track in no time.