Grand Haven High School (GHHS) has a new classroom cell phone policy that has gotten a lot of attention on social media. Many commenters are saying the new policy is the stupidest thing Grand Haven Area Public Schools (GHAPS) has ever implemented.
According to the new policy, students must bring their cell phones with them to class and put them into a caddy upon entering the classroom. Teachers will use the phone caddy to take attendance. If a student does not have a phone, the school will give them one to place into the caddy. The district says this will simplify the current policy and prizes will be given for compliance.
As of Monday afternoon on January 13, there were 311 comments and counting on a Grand Haven Informed Facebook post on the topic. Many people are understandably confused about why phones would be required only to be taken away, but others raise some valid points and ask applicable questions.
Many commenters pointed out that the district does not pay for student phones and students carry them for a variety of reasons. Some rely on their phones to alert them to take medications, while others need them for mental health. More than one commenter said their child carried a phone in case of an emergency such as a school shooting. If the school has possession of the phone, it defeats the entire purpose. If the school is now requiring students to carry cell phones which they will take possession of during the school day, does this mean the district will also cover loss, theft and damage of phones?
Other commenters pointed to flaws in the new policy. They asked if the district would also be confiscating watches.
Several commenters pointed out the ridiculousness of using a cell phone caddy to take attendance.
It is likely the reason for the district providing phones to certain students is to not single out students without cell phones and enable them to win prizes. Hence another equity/social emotional learning lesson in disguise. However, forcing students to focus on the fact that they do not have a phone by making them request an alternative phone and giving phones additional attention during class time by making them part of the attendance process seems more ostracizing to me.
Other commenters theorized about more sinister reasons for the district not allowing students to carry cell phones. After all, most of us have seen videos on social media students have taken in classrooms of teachers acting inappropriately.
Finally, some people just pointed out the obvious. If students are on their phones and not paying attention, cheating, or being disruptive with their phones, why not just have the teacher take it away? Multiple offenses can result in a parent phone call or a parent getting the phone from district officials. It really does not need to be that complicated.
