Despite the student’s disappointment on the subject, the cell phone policy has now come to Clear Springs, being one of the last high schools in the district to adopt this new policy. 

For the policy, you must either put your phone on the designated place on the wall or in your bag depending on your teacher. You may get your phone at the end of the lesson if you’ve been given permission. You’re not allowed to grab your phone without permission until the bell rings to release you from the class. 

There are three different consequences for when you violate the policy. Your first time violating it, you get a verbal warning and are told to put away your device. Your second time violating you will get your phone taken up by your teacher and are able to pick it up at the end of the period. Your third, and final, consequence for violating the policy is having your phone taken to the office and your parents having to pay a $15 fine and your guardian must come and pick it up from the school, you are not able to. 

Some CSHS parents disagree with this policy, however, many people understand the need for less personal cell phone use during instruction time. Many students see why the policy is good for them, but they don’t like the cell phone caddies.

Although people may disagree with it, they are many pros to this policy. Phones can be disruptive at school. They are easily used for cheating through texting or looking things up on the internet or apps such as Photomath or Grammarly. They’re also a distraction for people wanting to text their friends, play a game on their phone, or scroll on social media which causes students to not pay attention to the lesson, therefore leading them to fall behind.  

CCISD is not the only district in this area to have this new policy. Katy ISD has too picked up on it and are requiring grades 3-12 to not have their phones out in classes and must put them away. Only high school students are allowed to have their phones out during passing periods, middle schoolers must keep their phones away for the entire school day, excluding lunch depending on the school.