The reason behind CATS’ new phone policy

By Gustavo M.

Why has CATS implemented a new phone policy this year?

According to Principal Sean Gosselin, the phone policy was put into place because “a lot of teachers were complaining that they are trying to teach, but it’s becoming very difficult to do that when [students] are on their phones.”

He said that “teachers were also saying that [students’] phones are either ringing in class or they’e receiving a text and that creates a disruption that may be difficult for a student to come back and then really work academically and engage in there classes, but that can’t happen if there’s a constant  disruption.”

Mr. Francisco Martinez, a permanent substitute, agrees, saying, “if its just going to be for using the internet or texting or just watching videos, I am in support of the phone policy and for obvious reasons like how it becomes a distraction and just in general it’s not respectful to use your phone when someone is speaking.”

But he added, “if it’s an emergency and someone needs to use the phone, yes I would agree if you need to use it, you need to use it.”

Jose A., a 10th grader, shared his thoughts about the phone policy. He said,”it was necessary for some kids who don’t know how to control themselves with their phones, but it’s exaggerated that you can’t talk to your parents when there’s an emergency.”

Principal Gosselin said its difficult to get students to stop using their phones.

He said, ‘its hard to make them stoping using their phones without taking them away, but we do not want to take their phones because those phones are $1,000 and more, and we don’t want to be responsible for that.”

However, he said, “at the same time, it’s for your own good. All we want to make sure is your learning so you can go college or workplace but this phone is making a barrier for your success, so how do you do that other than having a policy throughout the whole school.¨