By Ella Chatwin
Fountain Valley High School (FVHS) students and teachers are adjusting to a new phone policy that requires students to put away their devices during instructional time.
The policy comes as California’s new requirements for student phone use, which took effect this school year. According to Assistant Principal Hayato Yuuki, FVHS has always had a phone policy, but the school added stricter rules to follow the new state and district requirements.
“We’ve just implemented a little bit more rules to make sure that we fall in line with the state law, district and board policy, along with our school policy,” Yuuki said.
Under the policy, students are expected to put their phones in classroom phone pockets or other designated locations upon entering class. Phones are not supposed to be used during instructional time.
For some students, the change has made it easier to stay focused in class.
“I don’t use it as much when I’m allowed to be on it, I will, but it’s definitely helped me focus more,” senior Jaylin Feiler said.
Feiler said she has also noticed a difference in how students interact with each other since the policy was introduced.
“People talk more, everyone’s become more friendly and communicative with each other,” Feiler said.
While students can still use their phones during passing periods and other permitted times, some students believe the policy could be adjusted.
“I feel like sometimes the new phone rule can be a little unfair. But I mean, I get it. I just think there should be more leniency on it. I know I focus better with music sometimes,” senior Faith Chatwin said.
Yuuki said the school hopes removing phones and other electronic devices from classrooms will reduce distractions and help students pay more attention.
“The hope is that all students’ attention is more pivoted towards the teacher in class, and that their learning experience has improved overall,” Yuuki said.
Elected Trustee of the School Board of the Fountain Valley School District and english teacher Steve Schultz, said they had a cell phone ban in place years before the State forced Huntington Union High School District (HBUHSD) to follow this rule as well.
He’s glad HBUHSD finally caught up but wishes they wouldn’t allow phones during passing periods.
“The phone has proven to be addictive and is detrimental to the development of a teen’s brain and shouldn’t be allowed during school hours. Do we allow vaping during passing periods and breaks? Then we shouldn’t allow phones which have a far more negative impact on the masses,” Schultz said.
However, Steve has noticed positive impacts on students since the policy has been inflicted.
“The kids aren’t distracted,” Schultz said. “They’re laughing more. They’re volunteering more. More engagement in small group discussions.”
Schultz also said the policy has made students more engaged with the lessons being taught.
“The kids aren’t distracted. They look more human. They look healthier,” he said.
For teachers, one of the biggest challenges has been consistently enforcing the policy.
“Just in the beginning, reinforcing it, reminding students that they need to put their phones away,” Schultz said.
Yuuki said consistency between teachers is just as much of a priority, so students know what to expect in every classroom from now on.
“We want every kid to practice the same thing in every single one of their classes. So they can get used to the routine of putting their phone up and not having it during class time everyday,” Yuuki said.
Students who violate the policy can have their cellular device confiscated. Repeated violations can lead to additional consequences. Including detention and Saturday school, depending on the situation.
“Parents are contacted each time a student gets their phone confiscated. The more the phone gets taken the harsher consequences are,” Yuuki said
Although the policy has received mixed reactions from both students, teachers and admin positive changes in the classrooms have been reported.
Feiler said the policy has not dramatically changed her overall school experience, but it has changed how she approaches her school work.
“I’m more concentrated on my assignments, as well I’ve been remembering a lot more from class, which makes getting work done easier,” Feiler said.
As FVHS continues to use this new policy, students and staff will have more opportunities to see how the restrictions affect classroom focus, communication and participation throughout the school year.
