On Tuesday, July 9, Governor Youngkin decided to establish a phone-free education in Virginia’s K-12 public schools. Phones are now not to be seen during class time, and if seen, will be confiscated by teachers as a result, the Administration has chosen to crack down on phone usage in the classrooms, as well as create stricter bathroom procedures.
Administrative intern and teacher Kim Henk gives insight.
“The phone policy will help students academically because that’s what the policy is there for. To put distractions away and help them focus,” said Henk.
By limiting phone usage, teachers hope to see an academic incline from the students.
Another huge change this year is the choice to implement bathroom monitors. When students use the restroom now, a teacher will be stationed outside each period. They must show their pass to the teacher before entering the bathroom. If there are 3 students in the bathroom, students must wait until someone exits to enter.
By having a teacher keep an eye on the restrooms, administration hopes to see more efficient and necessary usage. Teacher Jamie Youngblood talks about monitoring the social studies bathroom during 4th period. “Having an adult nearby has lessened the urge
for some students to break the rules, during class time the
bathrooms are not as crowded as they were before,” said Youngblood.
The teachers and administration feels like the new rules are beneficial and necessary, students on the other hand feel differently.
Junior, Ava Crocker talks about her opinions on the bathroom rules.
“The new rules are very stressful. It’s difficult to use the bathroom when I really need to go. I think we should be able to use the restrooms whenever we need to,” said Crocker.
Although Crocker disliked the bathroom policy, she exspresed that the phone policy was understandable.
“I understand why they enforced the phone policy though. I think it’s importamt for our grades and it helps people focus,”said Crocker.
Despite some students disliking the new policies, the administration believes this is what’s best for the school and says this is what’s going to benefit our students.
