Cell Phone Policy May Face Future Revision

In mid-December, a high school faculty meeting inspired discussion on the potential need for a revision of the school’s cell phone policy. The current cell phone policy at FAHS is that students are allowed to bring cell phones into school, but they should be turned off during class time, between classes,  and at any other times that they would disrupt school activities.

Dan Milloy, a junior at Fleetwood Area High School, says, “No cell phones are supposed to be used, but it seems different teachers enforce the rule(s) differently.”

Many schools in Berks County have similar policies with only slight modifications. Brandywine Heights restricts the use of cell phones during the school day, in the school building, on school property, and at extracurricular activities. In Wyomissing, students are prohibited to use cell phones before school and during the school day until 2:15, when the school day is over.

David Martini, another junior at FAHS, says, “The rule is that cell phones should be kept off or in your locker.”

Kelsey Roberts, a sophomore at the high school, says, “I don’t know the rule, but all I know is that we are not allowed to have them.”

As of now, Fleetwood is not overtly pursuing a revision of the policy. However, the first step to revising the policy would include a group discussion with students, teachers, and administrators to see if anything needs to be changed. The discussion would focus on the responsible use of smart phones, personal digital assistants, and other electronic devices.

Nonetheless, as a result of the ongoing cell-phone discussion, DeAntonio concluded, “If any revisions are made, we will always try to include them in the student handbook for the following school year.”