By Madeline Nichols, Evelyn Pizana-Priego, Tori Wilson

A lot of people use either cell  phones or electronics, but phones are most popular with teenagers.  These electronics are affecting schools, they are distracting, and some people want them gone for good.

A lot of  discussions can be caused if schools ban cell phones, parents being one of them. Teachers believe that parents should understand that this is better for their kids in school, while saying that they should reach out to school whenever there is a problem.

“I think parents will be on board with it because I think they realize that phones could be a huge distraction in school, and, of course, if a parent needs to contact a student, they can always call the office,” Mrs. Cathy Grider, English teacher, said. 

Teachers believe that if students put their cell phones away, they will achieve better grades and pay attention better. Students are more likely to finish their assignments on time, getting better grades, and improving their classroom skills. 

“I think grades will go up. I think the lack of distractions from phones will let students be more focused. I also think since students won’t have to shuffle from music, notifications, and the listening to the teacher, they will have full focus on the class. Grades will start to go up,” Mrs Grider said.

Most teachers agree that this ban will have a huge effect on students. They believe that students will be more concentrated in class and that they will be more hard working. 

“I think beyond any ban or state law the ability of a student to focus in a class is higher when they don’t have their cell phone available, so anytime in a classroom situation where the cellphone is put away and not a distraction I think it gives think it gives the student the ability to focus and the teacher to connect with the students, ” Mr. Craig Bruns, assistant principal, said.

While the school wants the ban, they are not sure if students will follow the new rule. Some teachers suspect that even though cell phones are banned it does not stop them from using them during free time, passing periods, or going to the bathroom. 

“It’s still early on in terms of figuring out how it would work. I think during the passing periods that would be a really challenging situation to enforce no cell phones during that time. That could possibly be an exception because I believe it’s challenging enough when you’ve got 30 kids in a classroom as opposed to 1,200 kids in the hallways, ” Mr. Bruns said.

From the point of view of students, they say that their parents feel irritated. They will no longer have a really easy way to reach out to their kids. If a crisis happens, they would have to wait a while.

“I feel like they would probably get annoyed. I feel like they wouldn’t like the fact that they can’t easily get a hold of me as they once could if anything is an emergency; they might be bothered,” junior Orozco Natalia said.

Students suspect that they will start to do better without their cell phones. They realize that they are always trying to peek at them.

“I feel like there’s a good chance I will improve because I realize sometimes I reach for my phone  or just don’t feel focused,” junior Natalia Orozco said.

Some juniors think that their senior year will go smoother with their phone not being a distraction. 

“The phone ban will affect how I use my free time during class. It may make me more productive,” Orozco said.