Many students have been under the impression that there is a new phone policy for the 23-24 school year, but this is not true. The current phone policy has not undergone any changes since last year; according to Hank Willems, the difference is that faculty are putting a new emphasis on the rule.
In past years, spaces like classrooms, the chapel, and cafeteria have been tech free. Phones and other technology have been allowed in the hallways. Among the students, there has been an understanding that certain teachers do not really care about phone use as long as you are respectful, while other teachers are strict. Inconsistent expectations can create confusion for everyone and can cause teachers who do enforce the rule to be the “bad guys.” The administration’s goal this year is to enforce the rule equally across the board to help reduce these issues. It is natural for teenagers to push the limits, making consistency vital in preventing conflict.
The phone policy for high school is as follows: all technology use is allowed before/after school, during breaks, and after lunch. Technology use is not permitted in the chapel and cafeteria, and it is recommended that students leave all devices in their lockers or backpacks during times in those spaces. In classrooms, technology like computers, headphones, and other note-taking devices like ipads are only to be used if directed by a teacher. During certain activities while in class a teacher can permit students to use their phones if it is necessary. One example is when teachers use online quiz games for review and phones are the most convenient tool.
With the recent prominence of the policy, a common question has been whether or not cell phones will become banned completely at Bethany. When asked about this possibility Hank Willems noted, “Bethany has a responsibility to help students as they transition into adulthood learn how to use technology respectfully. Most jobs have cell phones as part of their daily existence; it’s a tool. When kids go to college there aren’t going to be rules governing cell phones. I don’t think schools should ban them. Instead, I think we should teach time and place. When is it appropriate and how is it appropriate to use those tools in a school setting?”
Although it is still a possibility, it does not seem likely that phones will be banned at Bethany. I think Hank is right; phones are a huge part of today’s society so it is important to teach students how to use them respectfully. In the same way that students learn skills like time management as preparation for the “real world”, they should learn how to properly use technology.