This year, Chapman, along with the entire state of South Carolina, has adopted a new cell phone policy. According to The Model Policy Prohibiting the Use of Personal Electronic Devices, released by the South Carolina Department of Education, “The purpose of this policy is to create a phone-free school environment that fosters a positive learning experience free from electronic distractions.”
Right now, school policy states that the use of cell phones is prohibited during instructional time only but can be used in between classes and during lunch.
This has had a major impact on students as they navigate this new policy.
Principal Matt Davis has been working on updating the cell phone policy to help benefit the school.
“We’ve had that policy in regards to not having them during instructional time, but you know in the past it’s been we’ve kinda left it to the teacher’s discretion, but this year we pulled it tighter,” Davis said.
In the past teachers have used many different methods to help keep students engaged and not distracted by their phones.
“I’ve always done this before, but they come in and put it in the cubby that I have on the table (in front of the classroom),” foreign language teacher Adela Trejo said.
Teachers such as math or foreign language have dealt with phone issues regarding online cheating.
“I always tell them don’t use your phone or computer,” Trejo said. “Use what you know.”
With this new policy teachers see the benefits of not having an electronic distraction during instructional time.
“I think it benefits them in every way because they are more focused, and they are not up distracted by trying to check their phone every five seconds,” Trejo said.
Even though students have had reservations about the new policy, some have found it helpful.
“It helps me pay more attention when I’m not constantly checking the time or texting people in between questions I answer,” senior Evie Dowdell said.
Some students are less excited about the new policy.
“I don’t like the cell phone policy because when I do my work I really like to listen to music, because I feel like it tunes everyone out and I can focus and get things done really fast and efficiently,” sophomore Kaeden Sprouse said.
Even though some students resent this new policy, research suggests phones have become a major problem in the school.
“In school and you’re trying to learn something new it’s hard when you constantly break your train of thought when you’re going to your phone,” Davis said.
Students still have the freedom to use cell phones during class changes, lunch and before and after school.
“Cell phones are part of this world and we need to understand how to use it and be respectful when we use it,” Davis said.
Davis’ goal is to prepare students for the potential of a complete ban on phones during school hours that may come in January 2025.
“My hope is that y’all don’t see any major effect and no big ripple effect at this school,” he said. “I don’t want that at all.”
