Issues With MCPS's, "Bell to Bell, No Cell" Policy

By Andrés Guzmán

The beginning of this school year saw many policy changes, one being “bell to bell, no cell.” What this policy means is that cell phones are only to be used before or after class, not during. Some students don’t like this change, but it is necessary. Cell phones can be really distracting, which can negatively impact a student’s grades. A complete ban on cell phones during class time may be too far, though, as it can be frustrating not to have anything to do after work is done. Phones can be used in emergencies, as students can still have their phones with them, as long as they don’t use them in class. 

“Bell to bell no cell” is a significantly better policy than some other schools with a complete ban on cellphones. However, there should be some sort of a compromise; using cell phones after work is completed should be permitted, as long as it doesn’t distract others. “Bell to bell no cell” doesn’t just include cell phones, though; it also includes headphones and other music devices. This is unfair, as music helps a lot of students focus on their work. Students should be allowed to listen to music during individual work, at the very least. “Bell to bell no cell” has made being done with work stressful, as once all work is completed, students must sit in silence, with nothing to do but count the minutes until the next period. 

Einstein administrators should seriously consider modifying this policy, but they should still ban cell phones during instruction or group work. This way, students can look forward to completing their work, knowing that they can use their phones and listen to music after work is completed. 

Manuel Lopez, a junior at Einstein, had some thoughts to share regarding the new policy. “I think it's really good, people are actually focused on their work, instead of going on their phones as a distraction,” said Lopez. Jermi Dias-Martinez, a junior, also saw the benefits of this new cell phone policy. He said that “my grades have improved significantly,” supporting that this policy can help students get better grades. Lopez said that “allowing people to use their phones the last five minutes or when they finish work” is one of the changes he would make to the policy, agreeing with Dias-Martinez’s claim that “it should be more situational, the students that finish their work and are good students get the reward of using their phones.” 

To summarize, this new cell phone policy is a great course of action to help students get better grades, but it should allow students to use their phones once work is done.