Lincoln Southwest High School is introducing an updated cell phone rule at school this year. 

Due to the growing use of cell phones in the classroom, administration decided to enforce a “Three Strike Rule.” In order to keep students on task throughout the day, the strike rule will allow teachers to confiscate phones in class if they’re being used inappropriately. 

Receiving “Strike One” means you’ve been caught on your phone and you’ll be asked to put it away. “Strike Two” allows the person in charge to take your phone for the class. Finally, “Strike Three” says that the phone will be taken away to the office, possibly meaning a referral. 

“Honestly, there is not a lot of difference [from last year]. We didn’t change it much at all. We only made it more visible to students and teachers,” associate principal Laura Runge said. “More and more students were on cell phones and more and more teachers were struggling with getting kids to follow directions in the classroom. We were having more kids sent out due to phones and we don’t want them missing classes for those reasons. Teachers feel better about it because they have clear expectations and students realize they’re all following the same rules.”

Students interpret this policy as different things. Some find this as an opportunity to unplug and use the class to learn. 

“I think it’s a good thing that kids aren’t able to be as distracted by their devices, I know Tik Tok is really addicting sometimes,” Senior Ally Barry said. “Teachers do a good job at enforcing the policy. It’s not much of a problem for me though because I don’t normally use my phone during the day anyways.” 

This new policy isn’t so ideal for others though. The idea of a cell phone not being at your disposal all the time is foreign to some students, especially for those that have never experienced a solid “no phone rule”.

“All of my classes have some kind of rule. Some of my teachers do their own thing with phones though,” Sophomore Ellie Mahoney said. “Especially during free time, I’d love to be on my phone but I can’t. There’s nothing else to do when all of my work is done.” 

Then there are others who disregard the policy altogether. Some students are so dedicated to stay connected, the newly enforced cell phone policy won’t stop them. 

Ellie Mahoney says, “Kids will still go on their phones, like they’ll be on them under desks so teachers can’t see them. I think if you want to be on your phone go ahead, just accept it if you get a bad grade.” 

Although some students don’t agree, most teachers think that cell phone policy is a great addition to the classroom. 

“I love my students to just stay more focused,” Mrs. Joan Hines, FCS teacher, said. “When I announce the policy at the beginning of class, I feel like they respect it. At a time when phones mean everything to kids, it’s good to be in the moment.”