“Okay students, please take out your binders, pens, and cell phones…?”  This phrase may just begin to turn up at the start of classes throughout the halls of SHS.  As society moves in an increasingly technological direction students and teachers alike have to keep up with the times.

    In years past, Scituate High had an absolute no tolerance policy for cell phone usage but this hard and fast policy is no more.  Getting caught using your cell phone anywhere in the building including lunch or the hallways could end in your phone being sent to the office and you feeling lost without it in your pocket.  Repeat offences could even result in a parent or guardian having to come retrieve your phone from the office and the possibility of detention.

    However, with the growing number of students with iPhones and other smart phones and devices, it is seemingly more practical to use these devices to benefit classroom learning.  This school year, phones are allowed in the cafeteria at lunch, in studies, and also with the discretion of the teacher in class.  Having the ability to use devices during lunch not only provides for a nice break from the rules but also it gives students the ability to do school work that they need to finish up or want to get ahead on.

    The new policy has received an overwhelmingly positive response from students and teachers alike.  Some teachers believe that the policy will prepare students better for what life is like in the real world.  SHS math teacher Ms. McGlynn said,“My stance has always been understanding appropriate use of technology at appropriate times so I hope that this will alleviate the desire to do the wrong thing.”

    Student response to this new freedom has been excited and pleased as well as well. Senior Mitchell Loring said, “I’m a fan.  I think it helps out alot with research, if you don’t have time to be able to go to the library or if your computer at home doesn’t work you can just whip out your phone and do it right there so I think it’s pretty awesome.”

    Giving students access at lunch to their phones makes most students pretty content.  This change in the rules also gives them the opportunity to finish up any work quickly and not have to skip a meal to go to the library.  If all goes well with giving students the capability to utilise their phones during lunch, study and with teacher approval, there may be the possibility of having approved access in between classes.  Sophomore Madi Tripp said, “It could be a bit of an issue because people are gonna be looking down and not looking up for where they’re going but if they’re just aware of their surroundings it will be manageable.”

    The majority of students are ecstatic to have the ability to use their phones during lunch and most seem to be willing to use them respectfully in exchange for this privilege.