By Carolina Alphonso, Staff Writer
On Monday, March 3rd, the Howard County Board of Education put its new policy into action. Its choice has affected all schools and has many people in frustration. The new phone policy has made it so students are not permitted to access their personal devices starting at the first bell at 7:45, and ending at the last. This applies to all devices, including headphones, airpods and any other personal devices that aren’t used for educational purposes.
The ban had been announced weeks before and left many in confusion and appalled. Sophomore Joe Alphonso was one of the few that initially thought “there’s no way this is going to get enforced.” Unfortunately for many, these rules have been heavily enforced by all staff in the school. The decision was also spontaneous and out of the blue, with the ban starting in the middle of quarter three. Senior Patrick Deng had “remembered when we had to take that survey about the phones.” But to him, he “didn’t think they would make it this intense.” Parents, students and teachers all across Howard County had taken a survey asking for their opinion on phones in schools. These results and policy in response to the survey was not what people were expecting to say the least.
As previously mentioned, the ban prohibits students from using their phone from the beginning to the end of the day. “Having it from the beginning of the day to the end is extreme,” commented Senior Jizelle Williams. “We might as well not bring our phones at all.” Students are not allowed to have their devices out at all. This includes times during lunch time and passing periods as well. Junior Ade Smithson was one of the many who was shocked at the news: “Everything else made sense but not having it during lunch and passing periods was crazy.”
The ban has left many students with a multitude of emotions flowing through them. “The rules are pretty strict.” Senior Matteo Washington had said, “I can’t check my notifications about my job. It’s very restrictive.” Anger has been the most common emotion out of all. Sophomore Carolina Ku had outwardly expressed her frustration by stating “like-what do you mean I can’t use it during lunch time? Isn’t that supposed to be our free time?” Times such as lunch and passing periods have become break times for students, to allow them to rewind and relax. With the ban on phones, students feel their freedom and time for relaxation has been taken away from them.
While the phone ban has left many upset and frustrated, many have been open to finding ways to cope with the loss of technology. Card games have become common for many to play during their free time. “It’s not all terrible, I guess.” Freshman Charlie Broderick commented, “I have some card games I play with friends, so I’m not completely bored out of my mind.” It’s become a new source of entertainment for many, especially during lunch time.
The new policy was a shock to many and frustration still lingers and resides with many-if not most- of the students of River Hill and no doubt Howard County. It left many with uncertainty. Will this phone policy be uplifted, letting many to reunite with their devices, or will this policy stick leaving? Whatever is determined, right now, Howard County has been reverted back in time.