Wake County students and staff must follow stricter
cellphone policies this school year under the districtâs new rules.
The Wake County
Public School Systemâs new policy requires students across the district to
keep their phones way during class.
At Green Hope High School in Cary, students are required to
put their phones in labeled caddies.
âI feel like if I had my phone during all of my down time in
class, I wouldnât be asking my partners, âHey, can you help me with this
problem?â or âHey, whatâs your name? What do you like to do?ââ Green Hope
student Lathan Joof said.
Related: New
year, new cellphone policies: How NC schools are restricting phones, watches
and other devices
Many Green Hope students told WRAL News they feel unplugged
during the school day.
While most students follow the rules, some have seen
instances of classmates trying to get around the rules. It includes turning in
burner phones or even a calculator in one instance.
Students say what makes the new policy work is that students
know the expectations, regardless of what classroom they step into.
âTruly, all teachers need to implement with fidelity,â said
Green Hope High School principal Alison Cleveland. âInitially, there were some
questions [like] what if they need a brain break?
âThose are logistical questions. They saw the benefit it had
for the students, so theyâre on board.â
Students said the main difference this year is that teachers
and administrators are stricter about enforcing the rules. They said it sets a
culture where most students follow them.