While many teachers had their own approaches to controlling phone use, English teacher Mr. David Johnson’s stood out. He had students place their phones outside the door in a phone holder before class everyday, forcing students to center themselves in class, no phone in site.
Upper School Director Mrs. Anna Conn cited Johnson as the inspiration for the new policy of putting phones in “caddies” prior to class periods, and she officially put the policy in place at the end of last year.
“It was Mr. Johnson,” Conn said. “I saw in his classroom last year, he used to put the phones outside the door.”
Conn added saw something in his room that really stuck out.
”The kids were completely engaged, they were ready to go.”
According to administration, the goal of the policy is to help students focus more in classes and in their social lives, and it follows suit with many schools across the nation taking strides to curb technology use in schools.
Last year, the rules around phone use on campus were far looser. Students “couldn’t have them out during class,” but enforcement varied depending on the teacher. This year, the administration has taken a more consistent approach.
While some were unsure about the change at first, many have noticed the benefits.
“I feel like I enjoy being, like, focused on my work,” sophomore Michael Jones said, “and not being distracted by other things, so I feel like it really helps you focus. And it’s good for school overall.”
Jones commented that he’s noticed a change in his grades after the phone policy came into play. “I’ve done a lot more of my work and haven’t been off topic and doing other things.”
For some, though, the new rules haven’t drastically changed day-to-day life.
“The phone policy hasn’t really affected me that much,” said junior Alexis Mariano.“ I never really went on my phone during class before we had the phone policy, so I don’t think it’s really had a big effect on me.”
As Saint Stephen’s continues to adjust as the policy enters 2nd semester, the hope is that the new rules not only improve academic focus but also encourage stronger social connections and healthier habits.
With the policy working in some ways, and not in others, a question for many is what’s next? Will the policy stay, or go, or change next year?
“Honestly we should go all out, no phones, all day,” said English teacher Mr. Blake Hoonhout. “Schools around the country made this shift this year, and the data’s in– it works. I’ve read about 10 stories about their successes in the past month.”
