Skyline’s new school has also brought a new rule: students have to deposit their phones in cell phone lockers at the beginning of each class. Every classroom in Skyline now has its own cell phone lockers with their own set of keys. The cell phone lockers have been the topic of many conversations between both students and teachers.
The goal of the cell phone locker is to have students put away their phone at the beginning of class and retrieve it once the class is over. If a student wants to use a hall pass, they might also have to provide the key to their cell phone to incentivize them to come back to the class fast if it is close to the bell. If a phone is necessary for classwork, students can get their phone to use it for the reason the teacher has determined they need it for and then return it to the locker. This is similar to the way students had to check out chromebooks last year. Students had to put their phones in the locker, then take the key and chromebook. When they return the chromebook at the end of the day, they will get the phone back.
Many students don’t think the new cell phone locker policy works well in practice. Ariyan Islam said, “I feel like it doesn’t have a point, because, when you’re in class, the teacher looks over the students, so keeping the cell phones is something you don’t want to do because it takes up time and doesn’t make a big difference, especially if there is an emergency.” In the case of an emergency such as a fire, lockdown, or earthquake, many students have expressed the concern of not having access to their phone, citing it may make the situation worse. Islam said, ”People will be panicking, so they will stop to take it out and cause a bigger line.”
Despite these reservations, some students admit that having their phone in a locker does help them in a school setting. Corbyn Becker said, “I am kind of happy with it, because I can focus better.”
Many students agree that, if they were in charge, they would approach cell phones differently. Becker said, “I would make the punishment for being caught more severe, but I would let students keep their phones in case of an emergency.” Marco Brunelli said, “I wouldn’t have any restrictions on cell phones, because it’s up to the students if they are successful or not, and the ones that want to be successful will stay focused regardless of if their phones are locked up or not.”
Finally, Islam responded, “I would say it is the same, and not much has changed.” Becker said, “There isn’t as much distraction so I can be focused more in class.” Brunelli said, “It hasn’t changed anything at all and I think it’s a waste of time to have to get up and get your phone every time you need it in class instead of just having it with you.” Because the school year has just started, it still remains to be seen how much of a positive impact these lockers will have, but, if current student opinions’ are any indication of how the students feel about the lockers, then, as Becker states, “They might not be around for long.”
