Madison Phone Policy
Brian Jones, a health teacher at Madison said his classroom follows a structured phone policy. Students are required to place their phones in a designated “phone parking lot” as soon as they enter the room, phones remain there unless they are needed for class-related activities.
“We use phones but, every day, immediately, as soon as you come to class, you put your phone over on the hook,” Mr. Jones said. “Periodically throughout the week, we may use them, but otherwise put your phone over on the counter.”
He believes that cell phones are a valuable tool when the time and place is appropriate, and that they are a good cause, but doesn’t want his students to get distracted.
“I think phones have a use, but I think during class, they need to be set aside so the learning can take place. That has to be the priority.” Mr. Jones said.
He pretty much lets the students look up whatever they need on their phones, and trusts that they are using them wisely.
“I’ll allow them to use their phones if we’re ever doing a project, drawing something, or making an essay. I trust that pretty much all of them are using them wisely.” Mr. Jones said.
A student at Madison High, says he likes the phone policy and thinks the teachers aren’t that strict about it. He thinks it’s a good balance. But he wishes that there was a more consistent policy in each class.
Senior Ozden Leishman believes that there should be a school cell phone policy, and likes that most teachers let students use their phones, if they have all their work done.
“Teachers aren’t so strict when you have everything done. You’re not sitting around just doing nothing, they’ll let you get your phone. Another thing, I wish they are more consistent in every classroom.” Leishman said.
Leishman likes how there is a phone policy, but he also wants to ensure the privacy of his phone. He gets scared that any student could pick up his phone and read his messages when his phone is in the cubby.
“In my 2nd hour is a table and anyone could just look at your messages, whereas in Mrs. Googleman, it’s this flap that you can turn your phone on and they won’t see anything. I think it’s more of a privacy issue in my personal opinion.”
When asked if teachers taking his phone helps him focus or not, he was conflicted. He says that it does help him focus sometimes, but also can be a distraction when phones buzz or go off during class.
“I feel like when they’re in the cubby and they can buzz and it makes a noise, then it’s an issue. So when it’s in my pocket and I get those spam calls, I can just turn it off quickly. Whereas if it’s turned in, I have to get up and go to the cubby to turn it off. It doesn’t just disrupt me, it disrupts the whole class.” Lieshman says.
