A student perspective on the recent policy changes

by Rayne McCain, Senior Reporter, and Julia Bulinska, Reporter

on August 24, 2022

New dress code and phone policies at Galileo Magnet High School, and all throughout Danville Public Schools, have created many mixed opinions. Students, especially females, do not agree with the new dress code because they feel as if they shouldn’t be sexualized. The new cell phone policy is also very controversial with all students. Some students say that it helps with not being distracted or that it is unfair. Julia Bulinska and Rayne Carter McCain questioned these new policies because they felt very strong opinions about them. Bulinska felt as though there shouldn't be a problem with girls' bodies, but has come to a deeper understanding of the policies. McCain has many suggestions and feelings opposed to the no use of our phones during the school day.

The new dress code policy implies that there is a problem with girls showing their bodies. Students are upset with the school board for changing the dress code policy to say no cleavage or midriff. Last year the school was more easy going on the midriff rule, compared to this year, where it was taken completely away. The no cleavage rule is hard to follow, considering everyone has different bodies and sometimes someone is unintentionally showing their cleavage.

Many people love expressing themselves through clothing. This is upsetting because the new dress code limits one's clothing options. After talking to the assistant principal, Mr. Cressell, it was apparent that he was not answering the question of why it is a problem in the first place. If you really think about it though, it isn’t the school’s fault for having to change the dress code. The school is just trying to protect their students. You might be asking “how?” or “why?”. The reason is because school should be a place to learn and not to be harassed for your body. It is a sad fact but everyone has to learn to understand it. If you feel so strongly against the new dress code, you should file a complaint to the school board.

The phone policy is also something that students feel very strongly about . Most feel as if it’s not as beneficial, as it was intended to be, and has many flaws within its rules and regulations. There have been rules set in place in the past and they were more reasonable, rather than there being a no phone rule at all. This just opens doors for students to spend longer time in the bathroom and or sneaking it in the classroom.

Some students think that the general decision for no phones to be allowed at all during the school day is more oblivious than effective. Students should not be allowed to be on their phones during instructional time and testing areas. But as for canceling the use of them overall, it doesn’t technically mean that they are going to stop being used, just in a way that is hidden.

There are many other things to consider, such as a student getting their phone taken, but their parents work so they can’t get it after school. If they walk home from school, or an emergency happens either inside of school or outside, a phone allows the parent to talk to the child. In emergency situations, parents are more likely to contact their child before they call the school, especially with something personal.

This is also something that we and our parents are, in a way, used to. Last year these rules were not as strict as they are now and the year before that there were virtual classes due to Covid-19. So for the rule to be changed now, it’s a big change and something especially difficult for the upperclassmen to get used to.

It would be more reasonable if it could be modified so that the underclassmen would have to abide by the no phone policy since they just recently left middle school, where basically the same rules apply. That way, as students become upperclassmen, the incentive to have your phones in a mature and aware manner while still maintaining alert during the school day should be earned. This will not only give underclassmen something to look forward to, but it's more realistic than telling an 18 year old, who is a legal adult, that they aren't allowed to be on their cell phones at all throughout the school day. Overall, the new policy seems oblivious to the reality of what will end up happening anyway.