New teachers. New classmates. New phone cubbies?

New policy issued this year by District 121 involves something we seem to just can’t pull away from: our phones. Warren has implemented a new technology policy that’s brewing debate. While it may be annoying to put our phones in these storage systems or keep them in our backpack until the bell, it serves as a reminder to students as to what we’re really here for.

On the first day of school, teachers have made it clear that phones should not be in sight. Numerous classes among both of the Warren campuses have numbered cell phone holders where teachers have the option to require their students to put their cellphones.

I was able to speak with a teacher at the Almond Campus, who this year, began to use the phone cubbies provided by Warren. AP U.S. History teacher Mrs. Fischetti chose to use the storage system for the first time as the district encouraged teachers to implement a more formal plan to increase engagement in our classrooms. She believes the difference is minimal compared to previous years, because students already seem to acknowledge that cellphones interfere with classroom instruction and know how to maintain a healthy boundary. However, this does not minimize the fact that the consequences will be more severe going forward. She maintains that the administration “has made the choice to make enforcing the policy a priority.”

However, this is just one classroom out of many. I’ve noticed in some of my periods that a good majority of people have their phones on their desk during instruction, which leads me to my question: should there be more policies in place for phones in the classroom?

In an article published in 2022 by Harvard Graduate School, it’s explained that over the past several decades, many large urban school districts have intermittently experimented with cellphone bans or overall stricter technology use policies. Most of these policies have already been repealed by parents, though. From a school’s perspective, a ban on phones can improve learning and engagement. For parents, concern for their child’s wellbeing can easily outweigh any potential benefits from the ban.

Furthermore, cellphones are a great way to relax, connect, and even accelerate learning. In an article published by Science and Literacy, teachers have argued against stricter phone policies. One teacher states that “when students have access to technology and social media, they have access to leadership and empowerment online.”

This leads me to my conclusion. I feel that Warren recognizes the importance of having a stricter policy on phones to encourage learning in our classrooms but also acknowledges the need for students to organize and relax throughout the school day. Students just need to maintain boundaries regarding phone use. So, do you think these new phone cubbies are a little unnecessary, or could they be a simple way to increase participation?