The soft glow illuminating faces, students with their heads down, and a constant buzzing of cell phones used to be things commonly found in a City High classroom, but this year a new policy of cell phone lockers or “jails” in the main office hopes to curb the problem.

Staff, such as Secretary Ms. Renée Tonning, believe the new policy will benefit the students and their learning.

“I think it is a positive change,” said Tonning. “Especially because all teachers are on the same page as far as what the expectations are. Now phones are secured in one place and students have the opportunity to hold a key [to the phone cabinet] if they want.”

At the beginning of class students are reminded to secure their phones, at which time students should turn them off and put them into a backpack or pocket. If a student has their phone out during class, they’ll be reminded to put it away. If they don’t put it away, a hall monitor is called to come get the phone and take it to be locked into a cabinet in Mr. Wilcox’s office.

“Consistency in the rules or procedures is always nice,” said Tonning. “I also think that students need to learn when it is appropriate to use their phones and when it is not, just as they will be expected to out in the ‘real world.’”

Students have different point of views on the subject. Cameron Hornbeck ‘20, a student at City High, has not seen a difference in cell phone usage this year.

“The cell phone jail didn’t really affect me, I usually don’t use my phone in class.” Hornbeck said. “I haven’t really noticed a change in cell phone use. I’ve still seen several people using their phones during class.”

Although cell phones are used widely by teens, a number of studies have shown that cell phones can interfere with learning. Tonning says that she’s even witnessed students get anxiety from their phones being taken away.

“I think for some students [cell phones] are a big problem. Almost every time I am out walking in the halls, I have to dodge back and forth to avoid students who are walking around with their heads down, paying no attention to what’s happening around them,” said Tonning. “I also have experienced students practically having a breakdown when their phones are taken from them – peak anxiety levels reached. I hesitate to use the ‘back in my day’ card, but I think a lot of people could benefit from putting their phones down every once in awhile, and communicating with the people that are right in front of us.”