The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

Technology has become one of the biggest impacts in people’s everyday lives. Whether it’s using a computer for homework or using a television to relax people are usually using some sort of technology. Phones are the largest part of a person’s day. People use their phones during work, at home, and at school. The Big Sandy school board and staff have taken into account the large impact of phones on the Big Sandy students.

I have interviewed Miss Jay, the Big Sandy art teacher, for her opinion on phones in school. Miss Jay doesn’t exactly feel that phones are a large problem in classes. With a few of her classes she has to enforce a no-phone policy but most of the time it’s not a problem. When it does become a problem she has a point system and easily takes points away from the student’s participation grade.

Miss Jay doesn’t feel that phones should be banned from school. She uses her phone to help her with things in class such as a timer to keep her on track or as a calculator. Miss Jay lets her students use their phones for music or research if they need. She does believe, though, that students should have either Chromebooks or phones, not both, because she feels that is too many options.

Miss Jay feels that phones are not a large issue with the school and that with phones students gain self-control.

I also spoke with Darin Genereux, a member of the Big Sandy school board, to gain information about the school board’s interest of phones in Big Sandy Schools.

The school board has had many discussions about whether or not to ban phones from school. Melanie Schwarzbach has had a strong case on how phones should not be banned. The school board feels that the phones have become a large distraction for students during class.

The board decided overall that phones should be the teachers’ choice. Darin said that the rules concerning phones need consistency if they are to not be a distraction. There may be training meetings for the K-12 teachers about the phones. The school board decided not to ban phones and to keep the policy the teachers’ choice.

Technology has become a major influence for everyone. There are positive impacts and also negative impacts. Whether or not students need their phones in class, phones are part of most teenagers’ lives. The school board and staff have come to realize this fact. They plan to keep on track and close tabs with the phone and other technological situations. Students are expected to follow the guidelines of phones. The enforcement of technological solutions will better the Big Sandy schools and community, resulting in a better environment for the students and parents.