For a long time, a seemingly constant topic for discussion in Explore has been phones. They have been permitted and banned, policies have formed on them, there has been agreement and argument, and even elections have been determined over the issue. However, confusion and anger still remain as one solution can seemingly not be accepted by both sides.

It’s clear that the majority of students support the relaxation of rules surrounding phones, and to come to a compromise that satisfies the wants of both the school and the students. On multiple occasions, there has been an effort to get a compromise completed, but roadblocks ultimately stopped this. This is largely because HCST’s current policy appears to be that the risks associated with allowing phone use outweigh student wants for more freedom regarding their in-school phone usage. 

Students who support the unbanning of phones often say that phones being used during their lunch and other free periods aren’t stopping them from learning, and so shouldn’t be restricted. However, Principal Allyson Krone and Supervisor Lauren Norcia claim it’s better if students “could work on interpersonal skills”. They argue that if phones are allowed during lunch, “the only time where the entire grade is together…, aren’t they all going to go on their phones?”

Another concern from students is that they will not be able to contact their parents if ever needed, which is a matter of safety to some. The current school policy is that students are allowed to contact their parents if necessary, but only once they have gone down to the main office to make the call.

Lastly, there is the perspective that even with a ban, students will keep using their phones out of sight of a teacher. Making students hide their phones from teachers sows the seeds for hiding other things, cultivating a sense of distrust throughout the school, going against the connections of a “Wolfpack” aimed for at Explore. 

A main point the school made when addressing these concerns was that “adults do act really irresponsibly on social media, so for us to expect students won’t do the same isn’t fair.” There was one situation school administrators had noticed from a school elsewhere in the state, in which a student in the hallway had their phone on record and a fight was initiated before the camera, for it to be posted online afterward. These examples only serve to heighten the school’s worry surrounding phones.

It’s no doubt that phones will continue to be an issue in Explore for the foreseeable future, but with these points in mind, it’s possible a resolution everyone agrees to can be reached eventually.