Thoughts On The Hallway Headphone Policy

By Dave McMunn

As most students at North Warren High school know, the policy for using a student’s phone for music or any other purpose has been changed this year. In the previous year,2015-2016, students were allowed to have only one headphone in their ear and they were allowed to listen to music.

     This year, students are not allowed to listen to music or have their phones out at all in the hallways. Although students may use their phones in study halls and/or if a teacher permits them, many students disagree with the new policy.

There is no need for this new policy; rather, a need for improvement to the last policy. On the other side of the spectrum I learned from our vice principal, Mr.Sylvester, that“the original policy for headphones came with the implementation of BYOD” (bring your own device). Originally headphones/earbuds weren’t allowed to be used in the hallway however the teachers were being lenient. In May of last year at a student council meeting the headphone policy was brought up and the new policy was created. The concern was that students will not be attentive to their surroundings and not hear important broadcasts from the loudspeaker. “It's always been about safety” Mr.Sylvester stated.

     The policy should be that one headphone be allowed on a student's ear and the music must be at a reasonable volume. Teachers monitor the hallways constantly and if a student walks by with music blasting from their one ear, then the teacher can take the privilege away from the offender. The punishment for abusing this privilege and not paying attention to one's surroundings should be enforced for specific people , not the whole school. The loudspeakers are loud enough (hence the name) for people to hear what's coming out of them. If you agree on this suggestion then let the studentl council know and we can work to change the hallway headphone policy.