EHS Phone Policy: Everything You Need to Know and More

EHS Phone Policy: Everything You Need to Know and More

Shortly before school began in late August, an email was released to all EHS parents, students, and teachers, informing them of the new school phone policy. This comes as a 2021 report by the Washington Post notes that at least 43% of US public high schools have implemented some form of a phone policy, limiting student uses of them during the school day. The report also mentioned that as of 2021, 77% of US public middle schools had a phone policy. It’s nothing weird on the surface. But if we dive a little deeper, what are the pros and cons of the new phone policy? What is the constitutionality? What rights do you have when it comes to conflicts with teachers over phone use?

Pros of the Phone Policy:

1. Increased Attention in Class

With phones being tucked away in caddies, that takes one major distraction off the table in class. Kids can now focus solely on the instruction and classwork.

2. Fewer Meetups In The Bathrooms:

As someone who does not use the bathroom during class, I cannot confirm this, although we can assume that since kids cannot use their phones during class, they cannot plan meetups in the bathrooms to vape. I have not noticed a difference in vape meetups in between classes, unfortunately.

3. Increased Social Skills:

With phones put away, more regular face-to-face conversations can be had. Phones have prevented the learning and practicing of many social skills, but putting them away in the classroom can help improve interaction.

4. Teachers’ Responsibilities are Decreased:

Because phones are all in one place, and there is normally no one taking the risk of using a phone during class due to the severe punishments if caught, there is now one less responsibility for teachers in the classroom. They can focus more on teaching, and less on misbehaving children.

Cons of the Phone Policy:

1. Safety:

School shootings & safety-related events have increased significantly over the past decade, and if phones are away in caddies, in case of emergency, kids may not be able to access their phones in times of emergency.

2. We’re High Schoolers:

High schoolers are absolutely old enough to make their own decisions, including how seriously they want to take school. If kids would rather scroll TikTok instead of listening to the teacher, that’s their choice, and it’ll reflect in their grades. It’s the parents' job to parent, not the schools’ job.

3. The Benefits and Values:

Phones can absolutely be useful in class. Not only can they be used to complete assignments and be useful in assignments that involve leaving the classroom, but lots of people rely on their phones’ notes app to track their homework, and they can now no longer do that.

4. The Sense of Safety:

Having the security and safety of having a phone means that in case of an emergency, which is an ever-growing concern, you have access to a tool you can utilize to contact the proper people.

The EHS Phone Policy:

As a part of the phone policy, EHS established zones; red, yellow, and green. All classrooms are red zones. Bathrooms, the health office, and the locker rooms are also red zones. Hallways are yellow zones, meaning you can use your phones ONLY during the passing period (the 5 minutes in between classes). The library, cafeteria, and any place outside of school hours are green zones (always permitted). Apparently, teachers were notified that backpacks OR caddies were acceptable places for phones, but teachers were told to pass on “caddies only” to students.

The consequences for failing to adhere to the phone policy range, excerpted from the student handbook:

● 1st Offense - 1 day phone suspension & notification to parent/guardian

● 2nd Offense - 1 week phone suspension & parent/guardian meeting

● 3rd Offense - 1 month phone suspension & parent/guardian meeting

● 4th Offense - Length to be determined by administration

Non-phone electronic devices such as iPods, airpods, and other music-listening devices are also detailed in the policy. Mobile watches are prohibited during testing.

Failure to turn over your phone is considered insubordination - punishments will be decided by administration. Although the wording is extremely confusing. It’s worded as

“Failure to turn over an electronic device when asked to do so is considered

insubordination. The administration will return the device to the student and notify the

parents/guardians.” 

If you don’t turn in the device in the first place, the administration has nothing to return to you…??? It just sounds unclear. I think the wording could be adjusted for clarity.

Observations:

As we’ve been in school for almost a month now, I have observed that caddies are slowly becoming more empty. And teachers aren’t really doing anything about it, suggesting the ultimate goal is to keep phones tucked away during instruction and classwork. Personally, I think it’s good. I prefer leaving my phone in my backpack over those caddies 

Teachers are lenient when you take the phone out of the caddy. When you’re able to pack up, normally 3-5 minutes before class ends, you can usually take your phone out of the caddy without issue.

Your Rights vs. The Schools’ Rights:

School administrators and teachers DO NOT have the right to search your phone, for any reason. Normally, the police can but with permission from your parents. However, school officials do have the right to confiscate your phone. They cannot keep your phone indefinitely, because the law considers it your personal property. Teachers cannot force you to give them your phone. 

Constitutionally, with the 4th Amendment “reasonable searches and seizures clause”, there are extremely limited circumstances where law enforcement would be legally obligated to search your phone or personal device. “Reasonable suspicion” is the term that would be used by any school official or law enforcement officer when wanting to search your personal device, and there are limits to it. The legal system only considers what a law enforcement officer knew at the beginning of the search. If you are caught on your phone during class when it is prohibited to be on your phone, schools have zero right to search your phone, as it’s not illegal in the eyes of the law; it’s only illegal in the eyes of school policy.

According to Michigan State University School of Law, the Michigan Internet Privacy Protection Act disallows schools from violating many aspects of your personal privacy, such as the ability for schools to ask permission to gain access to personal social media accounts of students, current or interested. (There are a handful of other states that have similar laws, New Hampshire is not one of them). It gives students the protection of the law when saying “no.” But it’s not fully inclusive, as schools can still access any accounts you have that are public, and accessible to everyone. Also, anything that the school provides (in our case, Chromebooks) are monitored by school officials. Although we pay for them through taxpayer funds, I am they are considered school property until you graduate, and your SAU16 account is removed. 

Ultimately, if the opportunity were to appear that a teacher asks you to hand over your phone, you do not legally have to give it to them, and they cannot force you to do so. However, you’d obviously have to deal with school administration in the end, who,  for once, seem to be holding up their rules!

Personal Opinion:

Personally, I’d want it to be left up to the teacher's discretion. A phone policy is not something I am against, and the policy EHS has implemented is not extremely strict, but there are absolutely assignments and times throughout the year in which phones are very helpful. At least last year, there were teachers who had a caddy-like setup, but they quickly went away after a month or so. There were also teachers who took away phones if they saw you on them. Some teachers didn’t, and still, do not care. They’re the ones in charge of their classroom, so perhaps it should be their choice regarding phone usage rules. 

To add, I imagine there are likely more pressing issues to which administration can devote more time and energy. I’d be more comfortable thinking about the exorbitant salaries of each of the administrators if they were to do more things that benefited students on a daily basis. For example, the administration could focus on vaping & illicit activities in the bathrooms during passing periods, which is a major issue that has not improved whatsoever. As someone who uses the bathroom during passing periods, normally the upstairs F-G wing or the downstairs H-J wing, there will be as few as three or as many as 10-12 people huddled in the sink/stall area, while the stench of vapes fills the air. It’s ridiculous and awkward. If not this issue, perhaps administration could focus on the safety of the students in the parking lot. Yes, progress has been made, but there’s still work to be done. Or how about student behavior? Over time, this seems to have gotten worse, in my opinion. But the admin seems to side on the air of caution, responding with minimal consequences.

In conclusion, I have no issues with the phone policy. I just believe it should have some tweaks, and perhaps these tweaks could allow adminstration to tackle other pressing issues.