As of the 2024-25 school year, the Emerson Junior Senior High School Administration has created a new phone rule which discourages students from using their cellphones during class, and encourages teachers to take the devices from them when they do. Staff members say that it’s better for adolescents to be phone-free for a variety of reasons, but have the so-called “issues” been resolved with this new regulation?

The phone rule has definitely caused many different reactions from Emerson students, most of them being negative.

“I dislike the new phone rule because I believe students should keep it on them in case of a medical emergency, and a parent needs to be contacted in a timely manner,” an eighth grader said.

“The phone ban isn’t actually going to change anything, and students are still going to use their phones,” Zephania Rothstein added.

“I think the phone ban is a bit excessive for the younger kids, but it isn’t bad so far,” a freshman stated.

The new rule may seem a little strict, and – depending on a student’s grade level – a little confusing.  To clarify, junior high students can’t have their phones out at all during the day and their free period, while the high school students can have them out during lunch and activity period. All students are encouraged to keep their phones in their lockers so they can’t use them during instructional time, including the three-minute passing period in between each class. 

So what happens if a student uses their phone when they shouldn’t?  Teachers are required to collect the phone, call an administrator, and have someone come to pick the phone up from their classroom.  Then the student can collect their phone at the end of the day.

What if the student refuses to hand their phone to their teacher?  According to the 2024-25 student guidebook, “…for all students in grades 7-12, refusal of a staff member’s request to put away or give the staff member their cell phone will result in a mandatory meeting with an administrator and a Saturday detention.” A serious consequence.  It makes people wonder what was the reasoning for this rule anyway?

According to Emerson Junior Senior High School’s Assistant Principal, Kelly Murphy, the rule was put in place because, “There have been years of buildup of teachers seeing distracted students, and parents seeing an increase of student detachment and anxiety.”

This issue has also led to the creation and implementation of a new Wellness Center in the building, which can be used as a place to decompress and help students’ and staff members’ tend to their mental health. So far, the issue regarding social detachment and anxiety has been getting progressively better.

Mr. Ponchak, the school’s Supervisor of Instruction, also agrees, “There is an overwhelming amount of data that shows that the regular use of phones in schools can not only decrease academic performance, but can also have a negative impact on students’ social and emotional health. ”

“Teachers have been saying that students are more present in their environment and socializing more with their peers,” Murphy says, suggesting the current issue with the students is slowly being resolved. She’s right.  During lunch, students are interacting more with the people around them instead of silently sitting on their phones while eating.

Ponchak adds, “The teachers are ecstatic because they don’t have to waste a lot of their time dealing with cell phones and discipline. They are able to focus more on teaching and learning, which is a win for everyone in the classroom.”