A Houston high school was locked down Friday after students stormed out of their classrooms in protest of a new cellphone ban.
Staff at James Madison High School ordered shelter-in-place as a precaution after physical altercations broke out on campus the day before news of the new policy was shared.
“The school is currently closed due to concerns over recent fights that have occurred on campus,” Principal Edgar Contreras told parents in a message obtained by the Houston Chronicle.
“As you know, yesterday we announced that starting Monday students will not be able to use their cell phones – at any time – while they are inside the school building. “Mobile phones have been at the center of fights that have broken out at our school,” he continued.
High school students had been in an uproar since the school announced the new rules, which would require them to turn off their devices and leave them in the lobby at the start of the school day.
Teenagers could only pick up the phone at the end of the school day or in case of emergency.
In a show of protest, large groups of students walked out of their classes.
Staff at James Madison High School ordered shelter-in-place as a precaution after physical altercations broke out on campus the day before news of the new policy was shared. KHOU 11/YouTube
Many claimed the new policy was a violation of their Fourth Amendment rights that amounted to an “unreasonable search and seizure.”
Others argued that the faculty was punishing the entire student body for the actions of a few students who abused the few telephone privileges they had previously been allowed.
“We have responsibilities. Our moms may need to communicate with us. We need our phones,” student Stephanie Martínez told the Houston Chronicle.
“We’re fine with not using our phones in class, but they shouldn’t just be taken away from us.”
Houston Independent School District police had monitored the protest in case it escalated, as they had the day before.
HISD did not immediately respond to the Post’s request for comment.
James Madison implemented a strict policy in an effort to reduce distractions within the classroom, according to Contreras.
Houston Independent School District police had monitored the protest in case it escalated, as they had the day before. KHOU 11/YouTube
The school had called itself a “mobile phone-free zone” at the start of the academic year, stating that students would only be allowed to use their devices if a teacher allowed them to.
Violators would first receive a warning, but a second violation would result in confiscation and a $15 administrative fee, according to a flyer posted earlier this year.
Schools across the country have been grappling with cell phones in classrooms, and some have turned to innovative solutions to deter distractions.
Some argued that the faculty was punishing the entire student body for the actions of a few students who abused the few telephone privileges they had previously been allowed. KHOU 11/YouTube
Last month, a North Carolina high school removed mirrors from all of its bathrooms to prevent students from filming TikToks.
The school has already reportedly seen a decrease in the amount of time its children spend in the bathrooms.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn