Trial cell-phone policy at Alvirne appears to be success

Published: Sunday, October 18, 2009

The small devices that revolutionized communication around the world, the small devices that have become must-have items for almost all ages, the items that cost hundreds of dollars unless your provider is offering an upgrade, are cell phones.

Cell phones have improved interactions among all people regardless of distances, but these devices have also become a distraction in high schools.

Although some may disagree, cell-phone use has been an uncontrollable problem in high schools across the nation. Hundreds of Saturday detentions have been written up because of student cell-phone use.

The rule at Alvirne High School has been stated in the student handbook for many years: “To prevent the disruption of the learning process, pagers/beepers, radios, Walkman, MP3, CD/tape players or any other forms of electronic equipment are not permitted during the entire school day.”

If a student is caught using any of these items, it would be taken away immediately and exchanged for a Saturday detention upon its return.

Beginning this year, Alvirne decided to try a new approach on a trial basis. Cell-phone use is allowed during a student’s lunchtime, with some restrictions. One of these is that students can’t take their cell phones out of the cafeteria to improve reception or to restrict noise.

Thus far, students have really enjoyed the new rule. No longer do they have to sneak into the bathroom just to text mom a reminder about a doctor’s appointment after school, no longer do students always have to go to the office to contact a parent; they can now openly contact a parent without worry during lunch.

To most students the new cell phone policy is quite a relief.

“I find it handy,” senior Cira Watson exclaimed.

Not only that, many students have commented that their teachers are becoming much more attentive about cell-phone use in the classroom.

“I think that teachers are paying closer attention to kids texting with making us put our bags on the floor,” senior Jerica Remp said.

The new policy seems to be having an effect from the viewpoint of teachers who have seen fewer cell phones.

When history teacher Jeffrey Diprizito was asked about the effectiveness of the new cell-phone policy, he responded, “It is working. I haven’t seen any cell phones.”

There are no statistics available yet to confirm or deny the claim that cell-phone use has decreased with the new policy. The numbers are usually based on the entire year, and all electronics are in a single category.

“Electronic usage appears to be better, but it’s only an impression,” Deans of Students Timothy Broderick said.

I’ve seen fewer people texting during class. I still see some, but it’s inevitable that a few students will continue to break the rule.

But the rule has changed the Alvirne atmosphere. One of the several technologies that have overcome our lives outside school is now allowed at Alvirne for about 20 minutes.

Sara Auclair is a senior at Alvirne High School in Hudson.