Seekonk High School Students Get Cellular Privileges

Starting this month, cell phones are removed from the Seekonk High School contraband list — for now. 

According to Principal Marcia McGovern, teachers voted to let students use the devices for a trial period during lunch time and in classrooms, pending teacher permission. Before the policy change, student cell phone use was an administrative issue; they are hoping the allowances will cut down on disciplinary action. Plus, the principal says cell phones can be handy educational tools.

In the April 1 edition of the Parent Newsletter, Assistant Principal Christopher Jones writes, "Your teachers have voted and decided to give you a chance to have more freedom. Now you have to display the responsibility to keep it. The new policy will allow you to use your cell phones only in the cafeteria and classrooms for educational purposes with the teacher’s permission ... At the end of the trial period, we will evaluate its success and determine whether or not it will continue. It is important that students remember that if this trial does not work, there will probably not be another chance like this for a long time."

The evidence of youth cell phone use is inescapable. At the end of Wednesday, students whipped out cell phones while piling into school buses and personal vehicles.

Students say the policy change isn't a big deal. According to Katie, a student who refrained from giving her last name, it's business as usual at Seekonk High. 

"Nothing's really changed," she said.

But some other students say the reins are noticeably loosened. According to a group of soccer players waiting for a bus on Wednesday, students can now can use their communication devices freely in the cafeteria and in classrooms — if the teacher allows. 

"Now we don't have to hide them," said high school student Alicia Albuquerque.

And in math classes, this development is helpful. According to Albuquerque, some use the cell phones' calculator feature. 

In the past, if a student was caught with techie contraband, teachers would give a verbal warning, said students. If the problem persisted, a parent was called to come pick up the cell phone. 

Diane, a parent who refrained from giving her last name, questioned why the policy has changed. 

"I have mixed feelings. I'm a believer in structure. The rules are the rules. Why change it?" she asked, while waiting to pick up her daughter from school, noting some may abuse the privilege. "Will they use them to cheat on tests?"