Many EHS students are surprised to find that the new ID and phone policies implemented at the beginning of the school year are still being enforced.
At the start of the 2024-2025 school year, interim principal Fox reinstated two major policies: students must have an ID on at all times throughout the day and students are not allowed to have cell phones out during class.
With a quarter of the school year gone by, the new rules are still being strictly followed. In past years, the same two policies were existent but never effectively enforced.
Many students disagree with the policies, particularly the no-cell phone restriction.
“I dislike the [policy] as it limits my ability to communicate with my loved ones,” senior Diana Venelinova said. “I also regularly use my phone for music during work time and it has caused me to struggle focusing around other students that are loudly talking.”
Some students argue that if others are doing poorly in class, it is their fault because being on their cell phone is a choice they make.
“I think it’s unfair,” sophomore Kailey Kochan said. “I understand that cell phones are an issue, but the [policy] really doesn’t do much. If kids don’t want to learn, that’s their problem. I don’t like strict rules that affect the majority, especially when most students are already following those rules.”
On the other hand, some students believe that the policies were set in place for good reason.
According to junior Bella Kennedy, she believes that the no-cell phone policy allows for better structure and engagement in the classroom environment.
“I think the new policies can be a little intimidating, but that is because no one wants to be told what to do,” she said. “Overall, I think I’m doing better in school and am more engaged in the classroom. Some highschoolers also need structure [at school] because not all of them are receiving it at home.”
While high school students may have the strongest opinions on the policies, teachers have their own views as well.
Science teacher Amanda Arteberry believes that both policies were a needed change within the school.
Since the reinstatement of the rules, she has noticed that students focus more on academics as opposed to distractions on their phones, such as social media.
Another teacher that agrees with this viewpoint is mathematics teacher Mollie Rice.
Although she has always made it a rule for students to put away cell phones during class, she has noticed a significant change in student engagement and cooperation now that school-wide rules have been set.
“After the minute bell rings, my students are already engaging with each other instead of being on their phones and waiting to be told to put them away,” Mrs. Rice said.
Despite the varying viewpoints of the students and staff, the phone and ID policies remain intact within the school.
“These policies foster more collaboration between students and increase their interactions with teachers,” Mrs. Rice said. “The longer we are consistent with these enforcements, the easier it will be for students to maintain good habits.”