After years of unsuccessful petitions to use cellphones, students were inexplicably given a trial period for the right to freely use their cellphones on campus during lunch and nutrition in February.   

     The administration recently announced that the phone policy has been extended from its original deadline until the end of the year, thanks to favorable survey results from the staff.

     Senior Zoe Hall is elated over the arrangement saying, “I’m happy that after four years of being in CCHS, we have the freedom to use our phones during nutrition and lunch, but I wish it happened earlier because it only benefits the seniors for a short amount of time.”

     The Administration and ASB collaborated on the issue prompting them to survey teachers on the usage of cellphones on campus.  Over 75 percent of the teachers voted in support of a trial period allowing students being able to use their phones.

     The administration planned for the trial period to coincide with the implementation of Centaur Plus on Feb. 8. Although the new phone policy has given students the privilege to use their phones outside of instructional periods, it still prohibits external speakers being used and students charging their phones in available outlets.

     It also states that phones cannot be used during passing periods, and the same rules apply in the classroom as they did before the new policy, it being that if a phone is seen or heard, it will be taken away until Friday.

     The administration has also made it clear that if students show noncompliance to the policy, they will revoke it with no restraint, but if students treat the policy with respect, then the policy is most likely to be extended to a further date.

     Although enthusiastic for the new policy, Asst. Principal Kelli Tarvyd shared her concern, worrying about whether students will be able to detach themselves from their technology. “At our school we have a beautiful climate of communication. I’m concerned that students are going to stop talking to each other.”

     During the past couple weeks, students have learned to adjust to the new phone policy and have been using it to their advantage. Senior Jaris Torres said, “The cell phone police allows students to squeeze in any important texts or calls that they might need to make.”

     Although some use the policy for what it’s meant for, others have found more relaxed uses of it. Senior Frida Gomez said, “In reality, I only like the policy because now I can order food on campus.”