By Millie George, Staff Writer
River Hill High School Vice Principal Mrs. Jawhar has officially implemented a new disciplinary policy regarding cellphones: any student caught using their device during school hours must take it to Mrs. Jawhar’s office where she will use her “learning tools” to destroy it.
In a bold move, Mrs. Jawhar claims it is a “necessary step in education discipline,” and the administration will be implementing this policy starting in the 2026-2027 school year. This policy is being set in place to limit the large amount of phones still being used, despite the current no tolerance policy.
With this new policy, teachers are going to have to report any sighting of a phone to Mrs. Jawhar. The students will be required to bring their phones to her office where she will use her “learning tools”–including hammers and her high heels– to demolish the phones, and dispose of them after.
Teachers have been complaining of students continuing to use their cellular devices even after the current policy was set in place. Mr. Tromble, an English teacher at River Hill, said “they just won’t put them away no matter how strictly we enforce the rules.”
Many teachers express that they try to give their students a warning before confiscating their phone and sending them to administration. Mrs. Schultz, a Math teacher at River Hill, said, “Most of the time I try to look away because I do not want my students getting in trouble.”
Now that this new policy is going to be applied, teachers will be cracking down. Mrs Jawhar expressed to the teachers that “any sight of a device must be reported.”
School administrators are insisting that the policy is not about punishment, but about creating a better learning environment for students. With the fear of no longer having a phone at all, students will not even think about taking out their phones. “I am not sure if the students will abide by the rules out of discipline or just pure fear,” said Mr. Tromble.
Students are feeling nervous about this new policy being set in place. Junior Leyla Tarhan said, “I thought it was a joke when I first heard about this.” Many students communicated that they are scared to even have their phone in their pocket.
River Hill students are attempting to argue against the new policy being put in place. Many students think it is preposterous and overly strict. Sophomore Fiona Divine said, “I think it’s crazy that she can do that, our phones are our property.”
Administration told the school that they received legal permission to implement this policy to better the learning experience for students. Superintendent Bill Barnes said, “I think it is a great way to show students that learning should occur away from phones. It will all be better once students realize the benefits.”
Teachers and students are feeling the nerves that surround the upcoming implementation of this policy. Administrators are hopeful that this will improve the learning experience for students. “This is a necessary adjustment for River Hill, and we are all eager to see the improvements,” said Mrs. Jawhar.