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Lakota’s phone policy has been around since 2013, but students have been dealing with the consequences of this policy more recently.  This article talks about the current phone policy, how students feel about it, and the discussion surrounding the phone policy in the community conversation. 

Current Phone Policy

As stated in the Administrative Guideline Manual for Lakota, possession of personal devices is a privilege that may be taken away from a student at any time. Personal devices are not allowed to be used during class time and are to be completely turned off.

During school hours, all personal devices must be kept out of sight (in lockers or kept in pockets) unless a specific teacher gives permission for phones to be kept on you. Not only can you not have your phone with you unless that permission is granted but recording of any sort is never allowed and is seen as an extreme invasion of privacy. This includes classrooms, bathrooms, gym, etc.

Despite these rules, there are exceptions. A student may keep their personal device on and used in the following circumstances;

• The student is attempting to contact the authorities (e.g. the police, the paramedics, etc.)
• The student has a special health/medical circumstance  (e.g. an ill family member, or student’s own special health condition)
• The student has been permitted to use it for an educational use (e.g. taking notes, recording a class lecture, writing papers)
• The student is involved in an extracurricular activity after school hours and needs to communicate with their parent/guardian when the activity is ending so the student can be picked up.

Student’s Opinions

After asking some Lakota West students their opinions and feelings about the potential new phone policy, it is concluded that many students do not like the idea of being at school without their phones, and one thing everyone agreed on and admitted is how much they are attached to their cell phones. 

Olivia Shannon said “Yes I do think I would struggle, I use my phone in my downtime so I would get very bored” when asked how she felt about the idea of being without her phone for a day. A lot of students seem to feel this same way. 

With how the policy is now isn’t as strict, but with the new policy that is being made, it is going to be even more difficult for students. What can be taken away from interviewing these students is that this new policy is going to be difficult for students. 

Shaxrizoda Daronova states that “It could be better enhanced, the old cell phone policy let us have more freedom. Now students are being more sneaky, and losing the trust of the teachers.” 

Ashley Rojas Gomez also stated that “ What if something serious happens, and we need to contact someone.” They both stated that the current cell phone policy helps students with learning, but it is essential. They both hate the current and upcoming phone policy and how they could have changed it so the students would be less sneaky.

However, with the policy potentially changing, administrators of Lakota set up an event to gather opinions from students and family.

Community Conversation – Cell Phone Policy

The community event being discussed was hosted in Lakota’s Freshman building and was curated to receive opinions from parents, students, and staff about how the phone policy should be altered. The event was hosted by Lakota’s new superintendent, Ashley Whitely, and other members of the board.

Everyone was given a different imaginary scenario regarding phone usage at fifteen-minute intervals before sharing answers aloud. This gave everyone the opportunity to think thoroughly about their own opinions and ideas and to share them publicly.

The biggest concern amongst most parents was the ability to be able to contact their child throughout the day in case of an emergency, the main concern from staff was the ability to keep children’s attention or keep them off the devices, and the students’ biggest concern was the ability to use their phone for personal emergencies between either family or friends. 

“I think whenever you’re trying to make a decision, garnering input is really, really important,” Superintendant Ashley Whitely commented in regards to the community input. “Thinking from multiple perspectives is key.”