Northwest’s New Phone Policies

At Waukee Northwest, the new cell phone policies are tightening restrictions on more and more students’ electronics.

Teachers and staff at Waukee northwest continue to add rules and regulations to cell phones. In Northwest, every teacher has a different view on cell phones and their policies inside of their classrooms- whether students are allowed to have their phones out, they have to be in their bags at all times, or even in between. 

One teacher who believes that phones are a great tool and that phones are something that is super helpful is Mr. Brandon Alessio. Mr. Alessio is an English II and III teacher at Waukee Northwest. Mr. Alessio stated, “Like most things, I think there is a time and a place for them. I’d say around 80-90% of the time they’re super helpful.” Although the school rules imply that cell phones are to be inside students’ bags at all times, teachers each have their own rules for their own classrooms. Mr. Alessio stated, “I recently purchased a traffic light for my classroom. If the light is red, it means staying off the phone. If it is yellow, it means you can change songs, send messages, and/or check notifications—quick stuff. If the light is green, it means you can use it however you want. The expectation is to follow the stoplight, and so far, the students have responded well to this.” 

On the other hand, Senorita Sarah Hood, a Spanish teacher, has firm rules on cell phones inside her classroom. Although Senorita Hood believes that phones are a great tool and are super helpful, her rules still apply inside her classroom. Senorita Hood stated, “Because I value the short amount of time I have with students, I require students to keep their phones in their backpacks during class times and have sound notifications turned off in order to minimize distractions from learning.” Senorita Hood has her students put their phones in their bags and keep them there, she still believes that they are a great tool and resource, Senorita Hood believes there is a right time and place for them and that is not inside of the classroom. Hood stated, “At times we do use phones to play activities such as Kahoot, students are allowed to use their phones when we take bathroom breaks.” Overall with Senorita Hood’s classroom expectations set in place she believes that overall students respect the policy.

Ms. Rachel Greene is a business teacher. Ms. Greene is a teacher who has in-between rules for her students inside her classroom. Ms. Greene believes that cell phones are extremely helpful yet extremely problematic and enabling. Ms.Greene stated, “I do think that different teachers enforce it in different ways and I think that consistency is key. Because as a business teacher, I am trying to prepare students for life after edu. And you can’t use your phone whenever you want most of the time.” Ms. Greene has very high expectations for her students all while being there for them to set them up for success. She is very consistent with her rules and very enforcing. Ms. Greene is a teacher who has in-between rules for phones. Ms. Greene stated, “They should be in your backpack during active instruction time and discussion time. But during work time it’s okay if they are out because it is up to the student how they utilize their time and they need to learn how to manage their time. leave your phone when going to the restroom.”

Students having the freedom during work time to use their time to do their work or to mess around teaches students right from wrong. Teachers helping enforce cell phone rules allow students to grow up and be prepared for when students are off and are no longer students.

Greene stated, “Human interaction and human connection are something that we need as people, you can’t do that with your phone so having a phone policy gives you real practice on appropriate phone usage and discipline.”