Cell phones may be used by students! Among the changes to the high school policy system, the cell phone policy has been altered to benefit students. In the past, cell phones were not permitted to be used between class periods and were not to be utilized during lunch periods. As of this school year, cell phone use will be permitted for use during periods and during lunch. Numerous individuals, both students and staff, have different opinions spewing about. Mrs. Kowalski, a Spanish teacher in the high school stated she voted against the permission to allow students to use their phones. On the other hand, junior Jared Morgan believes,” The addition to the policy is pointless because students already did not follow the policy last year” but then later stated,” I guess it is okay. They made it okay now so we do not get yelled at.”  

Although the cell phone policy is less oppressive this year and has given us new privileges, as students we are still not permitted to use cell phones during class. Cell phone usage during class is a problem that still remains for teachers in numerous instances with students, even with the new privileges given to students. Cell phones in class take away from class discussion and the student’s attention. A senior student, who wishes to remain anonymous, stated “You start off watching a YouTube video, and then put in your earphones, and then the teacher loses that student’s attention and soon the whole classes’ attention.”  Cell phone usage in a classroom setting is still a constant occurrence even with the additional leniency that has been offered to the students.  Junior, Lanae Vroegindewey mentioned, “Teenagers are going to do whatever teenagers want to do when it comes to looking at their cell phones and using them in class and besides we all used our cell phones in lunch before so the school isn’t offering anything new to us.”  With all the hustle and bustle of this new addition to the cell phone policy, you can view how there are mixed emotions and opinions on this factor but overall, West Milford High School has granted students the permission the usage of cell phone during lunch periods and in between class periods.