Starting in the new school year of 2023-2024, St. Joseph High School implemented a new policy regarding cell phones during school. Under the former policy, phones were to be turned off and put away in lockers. Now the policy requires phones to be placed into bins at the beginning of each class period. 

“The new policy is very effective,” said Principal Kimberly Minick. “The students found out about the bins, and without a question started following the rules.” 

There were a couple of reasons why this new policy was implemented at St. Joe’s.

“There were too many phones that landed in the office at the end of each day, and they were distractions,” Minick said.  

 A few other schools have different approaches to collecting phones during school hours. 

“We considered the magnetic pouches, where phones would be put into a magnetic pouch that locks with a specific code, but when talking to people who have used them, we found out they were not effective,” said Minick. “Students found ways to manipulate the pouches and were always looking for a way to open the case”. 

Another alternative to the bins are the plastic shoe hangers, which are primarily used in elementary schools. This holds phones in separate pouches and it hangs up in every classroom. 

“The bins were just the easiest option. In case of an emergency, the teacher could grab the bin and leave,” said Minick. 

“I am really proud of how our students are complying, and our teachers are also very proud of that,” Minick said.

By Noah Lynd '24

After three years of relaxed uniform rules, men have to wear blazers all week long, with the exclusion of Fridays, when the quarter zip is permitted. 

The new guidelines are listed under section VI of the student handbook.

There is definitely diversity between student beliefs on the new policy and administration. 

Principal Kimberly Minick said, “The three quarter zip was in place during COVID for a more comfortable uniform piece while we were masked. Post- COVID we are just trying to come back to where we were originally with blazers." 

Ensuring that students follow the uniform policy is one of the duties of both the administration and of the teachers.  

Minick continued, "Another concern brought up in faculty meetings was that students were not wearing the uniform shirt under the three quarter zip.”

Many students were not happy about reinstating the blazers.  Some find them restrictive or awkward to wear.

Senior Cole Spencer said, “You can not flex your arms while stretching in a blazer. They are uncomfortable.”  Sophomore Sam Kamon added, "The shoulder pads in the blazers feel weird."

Noah Cooper '24 believes this can affect how well students learn in the classroom.

“I think what I’ve learned in the past year is that if you are uncomfortable, you are less focused,” Cooper said.

Mrs. Minick remains flexible with this particular policy.  

She said, “As time goes on, throughout the year, maybe we will have blazers back again for Mass only, or maybe another day of the week.” 

She continued, "I am open to that, to re-visit the idea." 

By Courtney Mentecki '26

At the beginning of every school year, student council elections determine leadership for each class. All students who are in good standing are eligible to run for office.  Many of the same students seek the positions year after year, and it can be difficult for newcomers to break into student government. 

Sophomore Domenic Dellemonache said, “I probably would have asked my class for more ideas, and whatever they suggested, I would take into consideration.” 

Dellemonache ran for president, but unfortunately he lost the election. He has never run for one of the student council elections before. 

Dellemonache said, “I think elections are really dependent on the prior experience of the student.  Hopefully, I can contribute in the future.” 

Sophomore class president Niviah Andree has been running for student council for 7 years, since grade school and middle school. But even with all of her experience, she was nervous on election day.

Andree said, ”I felt relieved, because I didn't know if I was going to win or not.  I hope we all can have a good year with good ideas.”