The Student Council Board, and all Class executive boards gathered in the cafeteria for their monthly Executive council meeting on Wednesday, November 13. After the meeting was called to order, by President of Student Council, Nkechi Wambu covered November issues and soon called administrators to speak about new policies regarding cell phones. Superintendent, Dan Black and Principal Rick Barnes addressed the podium at the front of the cafeteria addressing important orders about interest in passing a “No Phone Policy” in school. The policy will be controlled by administration as well as student voices.
Freshman class president Emerson Dodge says she will feel ‘restricted’ about being a high schooler at a school that encourages individuals to be confident and proficient for the future, but this upcoming decision might just take that away.
“Completely taking away something just makes you want it more,” Dodge said. “I feel like our school is all about preparing you for the future, yet you won’t have all the regulations on you all the time, so we should be thinking realistic.”
As of November 14, no other schools in NH have placed a phone free policy into high school buildings.
Student Council Vice President Gill Rosen raises her voice arguing that if a policy is set in place it is dependent on the teacher.
“I think if we put the new policy or procedure in place, every teacher needs to be the same. We have the policy in place but it varies from teacher to teacher,” Rosen said. “Sometimes you can be on your phone at times.”
Rosen’s thoughts are also reflected on certain teachers and individuals in the building.
“It varies from person to person,” Rosen said.
Londonderry State Legislator brought the attention to Dan Black, to look into the policy, and “it needs to happen with discussion” further within the school. The policy was first brought to the Class officers, and their advisors. This policy will be talked about more with administration and will be greatly impacted by student voices, and bodies in the school to make these changes.
Rosen thinks it would be a new thing to balance in the school district and it would need to lead to further decisions within administration, and it will be doing just that.
“It’s a hard problem trying to balance everyone’s opinion,” Rosen said. “It’s very self directed.”
