By Maddy Nieves ‘24
The 2023-2024 school year at Conestoga Valley High School has introduced a set of new policies to change the year and environment. One big policy that impacts the student’s views on the new school year is the cell phone policy. Students are required to have all phones away from bell to bell and can only access their phones during block changes and lunch. This policy was created due to students abusing cell phone privileges in the past, affecting students’ performance.
Most classes force students to put their cell phones in a phone pouch hung up in classrooms, in hopes that they can focus better on their academics and spend less time distracted by phones. Because this rule is different from last year, students have put their input in on how they feel about the change.
Senior Hannah Strohm had a positive experience with the policy: “I feel the cell phone policy has helped with my work ability because it keeps all distractions away and allows me to really focus on my assignments.”
Many students have found many positive outcomes of the policy because of how well they’re able to focus without the distraction of cell phone notifications, social media, and other distracting factors. While some people find the policy positive, other students would say otherwise.
Freshman Willow Daniels said, “I’ve seen more talking during class without phones. I think this was a result of not having a phone to go on which can be just as distracting as a phone.”
Sophomore Vanelia Tapia stated, ”I think the policy is used to help students and I think it can help us focus in the moment, but I feel phones can also have benefits to help us with resources, so if students are using them right it shouldn’t be an issue.”
As the school year moves on at CVHS, the cell phone policy will continue to be enforced and student’s opinions on it may change after experiencing the effects of the policy for longer.