45°
Greenwich High School's motto, "freedom with responsibility," rings true regarding the school's policies on cell phone use. But are students abusing their privilege to not only have but also use their phones within the school's corridors?
"Cell phones are pretty much used everywhere," said Emma Loewe, a Greenwich High senior. "If they catch you with it in class, they'll take it away. But that's if they catch you."
According to the school guidelines, students may use electronic communication devices such as cell phones or beepers on campus but not in the classrooms. The phones must not create a "disruption," which is determined by faculty and staff.
"My freshman year I forgot to turn the sound off on my phone and my friend used it to call her mom," said Haley Norrgard, a senior who coincidentally did not have her phone on her that day. "Her mom called back, and my phone was taken away."
Any cell phones that create disruptions in school will be confiscated, according to the rules. Confiscated cell phones are sent to the student's housemaster. The student must contact the housemaster at the end of the school day to get the phone back.
The girls admitted they do use their phones to text in class, just "like everyone else." Usually it's to each other, but many times parents are trying to stay in touch.
As with other rules, teachers vary in how strictly they enforce cell phone policies. "Some of them make a big deal out of it, like in the beginning of the year they try to scare you," said Sydney Bear, a senior.
Bear didn't want to give away secrets about using her phone in school but said, "Kids are really sneaky. They hide them under the desks usually, and the teachers don't notice."
Click here to follow Daily Voice Greenwich and receive free news updates.
