Story by Riley Kindler ’24
On Wednesday, January 17, Brick Memorial High School’s administration released a video unveiling the much-anticipated cell phone policy (video can be seen below). According to the video, students are only permitted to use their phones before and after school, during passing periods, and at lunch. Additionally, some teachers may allow phone use during class for specific projects or during a designated 5-10 minute window. However, during direct instruction, students are required to stow their phones in a pocket, bag, or away from their desks. If a student is caught using their phone during instructional time, they will receive a warning from the teacher and may be subject to disciplinary action, including a write-up to be addressed by Mr. Fillippone’s office. The policy will go into effect on Monday, January 22nd.
During the second block on Wednesday, after all students viewed the video of Mr. Filippone introducing the new rule, the administration, including future principal Mr. Ed Sarluca, visited each classroom to address any questions or concerns about the new policy. While the student reaction remains unknown at this early stage, teacher responses have generally been positive. “Looking at one’s cell phone while someone else is speaking is a terrible habit that we’ve all acquired over the last few years. 99% of the time, I do not feel students are being openly disrespectful; they truly don’t even realize they are doing it,” says Mr. Joseph Stefanelli, a 17-year veteran teacher at BMHS. “This is a positive and major step in breaking this habit and will benefit, not only the learning environment but the students overall as they enter the world outside of Brick Memorial.” The aim of the policy is to minimize distractions in the classroom, thereby enhancing the productivity of both students and staff.
