SPOTLIGHT

Travel Takes

ARE YOU ABLE TO SLEEP IN PLANE OR CAR

A LOOK INTO MACLAY OPINIONS ON TRAVEL ETIQUETTE AND THE OPINION SECTION

*174 students surveyed

DO YOU THINK HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS SHOULD HAVE SUMMER HOMEWORK?

23

151

DO

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE YOU TRAVELED TO THIS SUMMER?

DO YOU THINK HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS BENEFIT FROM SUMMER HOMEWORK?

WHEN DID YOU DO YOUR SUMMER HOMEWORK?

RIGHT WHEN SUMMER STARTED

MIDWAY THROUGH SUMMER

THE WEEK BEFORE SCHOOL STARTED

THE NIGHT BEFORE SCHOOL STARTED

Editorial Opinions

WHAT IS YOUR OPINION ON MACLAY’S NEW PHONE POLICY?

PEYTON NAYLOR “

12th grade

12th grade

I think that there should be a little more trust in students that they will not go on their phones. Maybe we can just put them in our bags.

I think it will improve learning a lot. I know many students don’t like it because obviously our lives revolve around our phones, but I think it will truly help people in the classroom not have as many distractions so they can fully learn what you’re supposed to be learning in class instead of having your phone as a distraction.

Weare the generation of technology. We are the ones that use media to learn, to be creative, to find inspiration. Students all around the world rely on their phones in their everyday lives. They use them to communicate, submit homework, research and more. This pocketsize device holds endless opportunities for the future, but it has recently been ripped away as a result of individuals abusing this privilege. A breach of trust within the upper school has occurred and Maclay felt this was the most effective way to retain the attention of their students. Although few students have been found to be misusing their internet access, aspects such as research, learning, inspiration, and creativity should outweigh these mishaps, earning the usage of phones back with a higher level of observation.

At the beginning of the 20222023 school year, Maclay’s upper school implemented a new phone policy, one that requires every phone in the room be stored in neon yellow and navy pockets in the front or back of the room for the duration of each class period. These devices are to be off-limits to everyone. This new policy has entered Maclay’s campus as students in past years have used phones to play games, go on social media and more.

“I think Maclay needed to implement this because it was really difficult for teachers to hold the policy when not all the teachers were doing so,” chemistry teacher Mrs. Kline said. “It definitely results in better levels of focus for the students”.

Despite the appropriate usage of phones from the majority of the Maclay community, they will be stored away during every 80-minute class, freshman and sophomore academy, homeroom during announcements and during any B day activity such as habitudes. Despite some exceptions such as Kahoot and Quizlet only when given permission by teachers, these phones will serve no purpose, give no knowledge and allow us no exploration of creativity throughout our school day.

Arguably, the internet that can be provided on phones is one of the most useful sources of information and data. While textbooks found in classrooms can provide someone with facts and history, the internet is filled with limitless information on any topic to be thought of. According to Harvard University, using a phone as a quick method of learning something new can be convenient and beneficial to students in school. The access Maclay has to quick wifi and the internet leaves this research and information at the fingertips of our students with just a couple of clicks on a phone.

“I think that phones can sometimes be useful in the classroom,” junior Grace Reichelderfer said. “In certain classes like risk and reward we have certain apps on our phones that we’ve been using.”

Despite troubles that arise from certain students, limiting everyone to no access can be detrimental to their learning ability.

In addition to the information that can be utilized from cell phones, they also provide apps such as Pinterest, Instagram and Photoshop that explore a whole new realm of creativity and inspiration. Artists and designers in everyday lives use these apps to create sculptures, projects, designs and more. Despite the exceptions that some teachers may make in their classrooms, courses at Maclay such as AP art, photography, ceramics, band and more would suffer from the loss of their large sources. Immediate access to these resources is something that makes these classes so enriching and useful. According to Education Week, 82% of high school students rely on their phones for learning and other artistic usage during a normal school day. Similar to the learning setbacks that may arise, our students will suffer from the loss of these resources.

While the advantages that come from using these devices to learn are important, the ultimate goal for