With summer just around the corner, the 2024-25 school year is nearing an end. With the end comes reflection on the policy changes this year has seen, including the cell phone restrictions and Academic Options (AO).
Both of these new aspects of Hayes were implemented at the beginning of the school year. This year’s cell phone policy states that there should not be any phones bell to bell, except for lunch and passing periods. The cell phone restrictions were largely due to Bill 250, which passed in the Ohio General Assembly, requiring all public schools to have a phone policy based on their model.
In contrast, AO is a Hayes-generated idea, acting as a study period at the beginning of every Friday that all underclassmen are required to attend. Upperclassmen can choose to opt out if their grades are above a C-minus.
“I don’t like that students can opt out [of AO], because I think everyone could benefit from it,” English teacher Emily Gilles said.
Over 350 students replied to a survey asking for opinions about AO and the cell phone policy this year. Although there were mixed answers, the main outcome was that the majority of student responders want to keep AO but get rid of the cell phone policy.
Over 20% of students believe that the cell phone policy and AO have made a positive difference in their grades from years past.
“I think this year was better because [AO has] increased my productivity,” sophomore Addisen Christopher said. “With phones gone, it decreased the amount of online bullying and stuff that was going on […] I don’t really mind the cell phone policy because I’m not really on my phone enough to care that much.”
In an optional comment part of the survey, many students expressed concerns regarding the cell phone policy. One of the common complaints was that AirPods and bluetooth headphones are restricted along with phones even during work time when students believe they should be allowed to listen to music.
“If a child can not learn to have the self-discipline to put any device down, there will be issues in the future to do so that may take away from job opportunities or relationships,” survey respondent and senior Abigail Bricker said. “There needs to be an opportunity [for students] to learn from mistakes.”
Students were also frustrated that the phone restrictions also apply to study halls and House when no explicit schoolwork is assigned.
“I do wish we [were allowed to have phones during] House,” Christopher said. “Just because I think House is a social period and if [teachers aren’t] going to give us activities to do, [they] might as well let us be on our phones.”
Because of these frustrations, 75% of survey respondents believe that Hayes should get rid of the cell phone policy next year. Although some students aren’t so happy, Gilles and other teachers are thankful for the changes.“I get more eye contact with my students than I have in my entire teaching career,” Gilles said. “It’s not me versus their phone; it’s them and I versus the world trying to learn things.”
Overall, the changes this school year have impacted both students and faculty at Hayes. Many students are grateful for AO, but some wish that the cell phone policy was more lenient in study halls and House.
“I don’t think everyone likes [the changes], but I also don’t think that [students] acknowledge it’s what’s best for [them],” Gilles said.
