Teachers set rules for their classroom that students are expected to abide by. Students don’t always follow the rules which lead to discipline as listed in the student handbook. When a student does break the rules, some teachers punish the entire class to make an example of them. 

“You heard Mrs. Chappell get on the announcements today that teachers were supposed to be enforcing all of this…” English teacher Stephanie Morales said, “I think that’s a lot easier said than done.”  

 Social Studies teacher Jeanna Rodriguez-Lawson believes it’s rude to be on your phone during her class time. She claims it’s different if it’s a parent, but completely ignoring what’s happening during class is unacceptable. “It’s kind of a rude thing…it’s different if I have to take a phone call for the doctor or if it’s your mom right cause it’s your mom, but it’s different when you’re just completely ignoring what we were doing.” 

Sophomore Addison Weber agrees with individual teacher’s classroom policies about phone use. She says she understands the frustration with students not paying attention during a lecture or presentation but would argue that students should be able to listen to music at their own free will. “Sometimes it can be frustrating for them if they’re trying to talk and someone’s on tik tok or something, I can see why they would do that.” 

The student handbook has clear rules set in place for communication devices. It is stated, “At their own risk and at teacher discretion, students are permitted to use cellular phones and/or other electronic media devices at school. During instructional; time, they are not permitted and need to be out of sight (in or out of classroom).” 

“It can take away from instructional time,” Morales confirms, “You can have kids using the device in a negative way such as bullying each other, sending messages on Instagram, snapchat, group texts, talking bad about a student in the class, so there’s definitely instances where it can have a negative impact.” 

Not every teacher has the same set of rules for their classroom, which could cause disruption among students. “It might send a message to the students that all teachers should be relaxed in their cellphone policies,” Morales said. “So, I can see how that might have a negative impact on other teachers’ classrooms.” 

“During class I think they’re a distraction more than an influence.” Lawson said. “So yes, it’s bad in the fact that you’re supposed to be focusing.”