Snatching cell phones has been a top priority for teachers to keep the classroom strictly a learning environment. Starting this school year, teachers have been cracking down on the distraction.
Students think taking up phones is a good idea, but only if there is a true purpose.
“I think it might be during a test, and in some classes where you’re working a lot the whole class because the kids don’t have time to use their phones or they could cheat on tests,” freshman Jacob Blacklock said.
In order to enforce this new policy, some teachers give students extra credit points for turning their phone in at the beginning of class.
“I do believe more students will turn in their phones if they are given extra credit because they are receiving an incentive,” math teacher Dana Stiles said. “Most of my students care about their grade and understand my reasoning for taking up cell phones so they are willing to put their phone up for the period.”
Students also like the idea of extra credit.
“Almost everybody has a phone and even if you don’t, it’s just a little bit of extra credit so it won’t hurt you,” Blacklock said.
However, most teachers require students to put their electronic devices up.
“I thought the best option is: I take them, I put them in the cabinet and there not on you, they’re not where anyone can steal them, they’re not distracting you, and that’s why I decided to do it,” chemistry teacher Denise Sanders said.
Teachers at the school are willing to fight for their attention.
“Cell phones are a battle that I have chosen to fight because I cannot stand being disrespected when I am presenting important information,” Stiles said.
Another important change at the school is the enforcement of the dress code.  Specifically, the rule about the length of girls’ tops when they wear leggings.
“If they want to dress code people wearing leggings, then they need to be dress coding over half of the female student body,” sophomore Katy Jacobs said.
The intense, southern heat is also a factor of how students dress.
“Leggings should be allowed because they’re comfortable and suitable material for Texas weather,” sophomore Karla Boone said.
Some students feel the dress code is impractical.
“The leggings rule shouldn’t be a rule because they’re pants just like jeans,” sophomore Erin Crowley said.