School Embraces Electronics Policy Change

School Embraces Electronics Policy Change

Bryanna Koziol, Reporting Staff

This school year, West Springfield High School passed a new policy that allows the use of electronics in a classroom to achieve the objective that day, if the teacher allows. Electronics are now allowed during lunch, before and after school, and during passing periods. Headphones are also permitted, but a student may only have one earbud in during passing period so that they are still able to hear announcements.

Students have had mostly positive reactions to the new rules changing. “The rule will prevent students from getting in trouble for something they would do anyways, even if it were to reach classroom goals,” said junior Sierra Bodzioch, and many other students share this opinion, such as senior Theresa Magni who believes “The new policy is fair to students and will reduce the amount of misconduct.”

Teachers feedback on the rule has been mostly positive as well, though some believe the rule could have a negative effect. “I believe that the new headphone policy improves relationships between students and teachers because I don’t have to give students a hard time for wearing them,” said Terrier House English teacher Mr.Johnson. Other teachers share similar beliefs on the rule. “The new headphone policy is a nice privilege for kids as long as they don’t abuse it! I like giving kids the opportunity to listen to music if they want to,” said Mrs. Venneri, another Terrier House English teacher. Some teachers expressed concerns that the rule change could lead to a less attentive environment because when students are looking at their chromebooks, phones, and listening to their headphones their attention is not on the teacher and this can be a distraction. Still, teachers agreed, if properly implemented the use of electronics in the classroom can be a valuable part of a lesson or class activity. Students may need reminders that once inside the classroom, the use of headphones, cell phones and even chromebooks is determined by the teachers.

The initial thought, “Why was the old rule not being enforced if it was in the handbook?” was what led Dr. Perrone to make the change to the rule. He feels as if the new rule will be a test of student responsibility, and if they handle it well, it will be continued onto next year. The only feedback he has received from students and teachers about this rule has been positive. He also said the rule will continue onto the next school year as long as students handle it responsibly.