Big Change in Cell Phone Policy at Trenton High School

A recent change to school policy will allow students at Trenton High School to carry and use cell phones in common areas during lunch.

The new policy is an effort to try to get students to be digitally responsible, according to Superintendent Rod Wakeham.

Wakeham said the change in policy stemmed from requests from students who felt they needed to use their phones at school for specific reasons.

"A lot of the time they are contacting their parents or answering a text message from mom," Wakeham said.

Phones are not allowed in classrooms. Students caught with cell phones in class will have their phones taken away. Parents must then claim the phone at the high school's office. The student will also be issued one day of in school suspension, according to Wakeham.

Principal Michael Doyle said if the new policy does not work, the district can revert back to the previous policy.

"As part of student digital responsibility, students will use this time to check with parents and guardians during the lunch period through digital responsibility for forgotten items, appointment updates, and other items that may need to be cleared up," Doyle said.

With the previous policy, cell phone were to be off and out of sight throughout the school day.

Cell phones and cell phone applications are occasionally used for instructional purposes. Under specific circumstances, students can use cell phones in class, but only for instructional purposes.

Patch asked parents to weigh in on the issue on the Trenton-Grosse Ile Patch Facebook page. We asked parents if students should be allowed to have cell phones inside school buildings. Here are some of their responses:

Charlene Smith said, Yes, absolutely they should be able to have their phone on silent and on their persons. The world is a different place then it was even when I went to school and calling the office does not work I have tried and my girls were never told. Having it on them and using it in class are to different things.

Leah Derby said, mine is to have his, on silent, either out of sight in a pocket or zipped into his packpack. if he loses it in any way, be it his own irresponsible act or because it was confiscated, he will be paying for the replacement and the monthly bill for next year. if he is ever a victim of any atrocity, i want to be able to contact us or be able to track him.

Brenda Roekle said, Students should not be allowed to have phones in school. We never had them and we survived. It takes away from students focusing on studies and face to face social skills.

Matthew Dale Laginess said, No. No reason for it.

Now that you're in the know, Tell us what you think about the new cell phone policy at Trenton High School. Give us your opinion in the comments section below.