We’ve found that we have been reminding less and less students each day about cell phones, however we are still having to take cell phones, and have begun to document the names of students who are violating the policy. Most students only have to be reminded once and it’s not a problem, but more of a habit, taking it out to check their schedule or the time. We would still like students to know that if they are violating the policy multiple times we will take phones.

In January, the new cell phone policy was put into place by orders of Gov. Tina Kotek, and went into formal effect here in the South. This new policy requires all Oregon students to be cell phone free for the whole school day. 

In an interview with The Axe, Principal Kee Zublin described how the first month of the rule has gone here at South and how administration will proceed in the future. In general, students seem to be complying with the new policy.

“We’ve found that we have been reminding less and less students each day about cell phones,”  Zublin said.

However the policy is still being enforced.

“We have begun to document the names of students who are violating the policy,” he explained, “but mostly [we] have just noticed that students are taking [phones] out by habit to check the time or their class schedule.”

This is what administrators want students to be aware of.

“Overall we just want students to know that the policy is still in place, and we will still be taking cell phones when necessary,” Zublin said.

As a reminder, here are the formal rules for the use of cell phones at South Eugene High School: PEDs (personal electronic devices) need to be “parked” in the cell hotel at the beginning of the class period and then “packed” in students’ bags during the passing periods. PEDs should not be out from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., including lunch for students eating on campus. Consequences include a progression of verbal warnings, confiscation, referrals, and conferences with guardians. Exceptions to the cell phone policy will only be made for 504 plans or IEPs. 

Article by Tilda Rodhe