The expansive hallways are almost empty, as they tend to be during class, but there are a few students roaming around, in groups or alone. Some are lit by the telltale glow of a cell phone clutched in their hand or up a sleeve.
The new cell phone policy at JMHS was implemented this year, and it has made some notable changes. Now, students must have their phones away from the 8:10 bell to the 2:55 bell at the end of the day, with some exceptions for lunch break, in response to Executive Order 33. The law, passed by VA Governor Youngkin, is aimed at helping students’ mental health and academic performances. But has it really changed anything for Madison, and is it working? There have been varying opinions among the students and faculty.
“I don’t think it has any real effects on the student body,” Eloise Smith (’29) said.
It seems as though students have not seen many effects yet. This year, the policy hasn’t changed too much from last year’s, when cell phone pouches, or “hotels” were used. One change, however, is that students can no longer use their phones in the halls between periods. And for a lot of incoming freshmen, many of whom are used to Thoreau’s cell phone policy, they have adjusted well.
“I also mostly teach freshmen,” Cameron Poland, English and Journalism teacher said. “So I think, because of the pouches some of them had last year, they kind of are experiencing a little more freedom then they might have had [before].”
Thoreau Middle School, one of the biggest feeder schools for Madison, has used Yondr pouches for the past year. These use magnets to lock the phones inside, and could only be unlocked using devices in specific places around the school. Freshmen have seemingly adjusted easily to Madison’s new policy. That view isn’t shared as much by the older grades.
“…I’m sure if I taught more upperclassmen, I would have had that struggle [of needing to confiscate cell phones] a bit more,” said Poland.
Upperclassmen and sophomores had been used to the ability to have their phones out during transition times between classes and parts of fourth period, and have had more of a challenge adjusting to the new policy. But as the year marches on, some upperclassmen have said that they like the effects.
“I can’t speak for all of my students, but I know after talking to my juniors and seniors, they feel much happier and healthier not having the cell phones on them,” Poland said.
From virtually no effects to health effects, everyone seems to have a different idea on how the cell phone policy changes things for students, but one thing is certain—as a law, it is here to stay.
