We all know the electronic device policy, a Level 1 violation for any electronic device used for “entertainment” purposes, and a Level 2 violation for any use of a cell phone.  In other words, if caught using a cell phone while on campus, the consequence for a first time offender is a Saturday detention.  For those who do not know, a Saturday detention is from 9am to 12pm, three hours of the weekend spent sitting silently in Room 1100, all for using an innocent cell phone.  Yes, cell phones can be used for entertainment, but who is to say that cell phones have no educational purpose.  In today’s age, cell phones have a truly educational purpose.  Cell phones can serve as a source of information, an organizer, and a calculator.  It is impossible to ignore the fact that cell phones, when used by a studious pupil, can be used as a valuable asset to education.

Thanks to Mr. Allemang, I have some eye opening information about the electronic policy of a nearby school district, Chartiers Valley.  Mr. Alan Welding, an English, Rhetoric, and Journalism teacher at Chartiers Valley High School, was kind enough to share some information about their electronic device policy.  At CV, cell phones are allowed.  However, they are only to be used with teacher permission, between classes, and at lunch.  In addition, all students at CV were given laptops, an electronic device that I was denied the right to use by several teachers.  Mr. Welding encourages all teachers to use technology as a teaching tool.  He uses cell phones for opinion surveys and communication methods in his classes.  Fairly, he allows students to use cell phones in class “when they absolutely must”.  Moreover, Mr. Welding has had “very little distractions caused because the students develop a respect for the privileges they are given”.  If electronic devices were allowed within BPHS, I believe that students would use them reasonably and respectfully, like the students at CV.  Mr. Welding also shared his personal opinion on the electronic device policy, “as a teacher, I think it is important to find ways to embrace the tools that students will use outside of high school’s four walls and in the future”.

Grades of students would not change with the allowance of electronic devices, because those who achieve good grades will not, all of a sudden, become bad students now that they are allowed to use electronic devices.  I believe that these students will use the technology to their own advantage.  On the other hand, students that have poor grades now will still have poor grades or even possibly better grades for those who use the technology to their own benefit.  This is because the teacher would have the authority to prohibit certain students from using their electronic devices if they are abusing their right to use electronic devices.

The electronic device policy is simply illogical.  For example, last week I got caught using my cell phone, ironically.  I was reading an e-mail from Mr. Allemang when I got my phone taken.  He was e-mailing me some information about electronic devices for this article.  As ironic as this situation was, it sheds light on how illogical the policy really is.  I voluntarily chose to participate in Hawk Eye, an optional after school activity, and I was punished for trying to read an email regarding Hawk Eye. I understand that using a cell phone is currently against school rules, and because I got caught, I must accept the consequences.  I am just trying to show how ridiculous the policy is.  Students should not have to hide their phone or go to the bathroom just to use it.  Furthermore, my phone was taken during free time in class, when I did not have anything else to do.  So basically I was punished by having to spend three hours in detention, and I did not have my phone for a week.  I pay for my own cell phone, which is about 40 dollars every month.  So, for trying to e-mail a teacher, I lost three hours of my weekend, and about 10 dollars.

I hope this article is brought to the attention of the school administration so that they can reassess the electronic device policy as a whole.  I wrote this article in order to voice my opinion, to bring a positive change to our school environment, and to open the eyes of classmates and staff alike.