Del Val announced New Jersey’s new cell phone policy for next school year during third block class meetings today. Earlier in the year, the state signed a law that mandates schools create a policy to ban the use of phones and other internet enabled devices.
The administration will be mandating that if students are bringing their phones into the building, they must be placed in lockers that students will be assigned. The phones must remain in their lockers from the first bell to the final bell, including unit lunch.
However, the policy does not just apply to cell phones. Any electronic communication devices that can access the internet will not be allowed on the students’ person during the day.
“In hindsight, for New Jersey, I do believe it could help with certain aspects like cheating or parents coming to the school when there’s an emergency or a problem,” sophomore Kaitlyn Misar said. “But when I’m in school, I personally don’t like it. It’s just kind of annoying to have to go to the office to tell my parents [something].”
Students being picked up early, attending Polytech, participating in senior sign-out or any other event when they would be leaving school early or arriving late will be allowed to pick up/drop off all devices in the locker.
If students wish to, they can also leave their devices at home or in their cars.
Dismissal times will also be altered to allow students to be able to pick up their devices before leaving for the day. According to the state’s policy, if students are found with any internet enabled device on them, they can be given a lunch detention, and the punishment’s severity may increase should the student continue to break the policy.
If parents need to contact their children, or vice versa, phone calls can be made through the main office.
“Honestly, I’m impartial, but I don’t really use my phone all that much during school anyway,” junior Maya Sliver said. “I mean, it’s a little bit annoying that if I have to update my mom about a last minute change or I need a ride after school. It’ pretty difficult to reach her because she’s a teacher.”
More details concerning Del Val’s implementation of the state’s new requirement will be forthcoming.
