With the new year starting students were surprised to hear about the new rules about phone usage. This year CHS has turned off the internet during school hours. Students are now only able to use their school laptops, all other devices cannot connect to the internet, and the school’s walls cause students to have poor data reception.
CHS hopes this new rule will have a positive effect on the students. Giving them fewer distractions during the school day to get better work done. Also, last year, due to the public Wi-Fi, the school’s internet was hacked, leaving students’ and teachers’ information at risk of getting into the wrong hands. While it is true that not having your phone does increase focus and work ethic, some students have been negatively affected by the new rules for reasons outside of ‘boredom.’ Has this accomplished what Duneland has hoped for?
“It really messes me up because I have a 504 plan that allows me to listen to music during certain times in class and the deletion of the guest wifi completely eliminates my ability to listen to music,” an anonymous student said.
“I use my cellphone that is connected to my Dexcom CGM system and without any cell phone service it does not transmit the information to my phone giving me a blood sugar reading. Which causes me to not have a constant monitoring of my blood sugar which is critical for an insulin-dependent diabetic like myself,” Senior Ashton Stasko expressed.
“Some people need to be connected with their families due to emergencies and responsibilities at home such as picking up younger siblings, running errands, etc,” an anonymous student said.
Some students agree that a good compromise would be allowing the internet, but having students put their phones away in phone pockets in the front of the room. That way they won’t be distracted by them during class, but can have them during downtime, lunch, or if needed for a 504 plan or other health-related issue. But then, it could lead to another hacker targeting the school. Both sides have their valid reasons for being for or against the policy. Students wait to see if there may be any change to this rule or if they will just have to get used to it.