The first week of school without cellphones is complete. Some students say they are doing fine without their devices, while others have found alternatives. On Friday at lunch, many Marymount Academy students used the break to leave school property and scroll through their cellphones. Warren Huggins says he’s on his phone “just to catch up with people. Since most of my friends are in different schools.” Teenagers say this is just one way around the rule; some say it is not working. Cellphones were banned from the classroom during the last school year. The rule has since been extended to the entire school, including during breaks and lunch. The Montreal Association of School Administrators says it fears the ban would encourage this kind of behaviour. “When they’re at school, then we can make sure they’re well. Make sure that if they need something that adults are there for them,” said president Kathleen Legault. She says principals have been given very little time to prepare. Legault adds that the government sent its guidelines on Wednesday, days after the school year had already begun. “We agree to change things, but the government doesn’t give us the time and the tool to make it a success,” said the official who represents 700 principals and vice principals at service centres across the city. Back at Marymount, teens say the measure is not strictly enforced. “Most teachers, it’s more of a if they don’t see it, they’re okay with it policy,” said student Noam Johnson. Andrew Adams is an English teacher at LaurenHill Academy. He says that since the ban, cellphones are no longer a problem at his school, and students are more focused. “We have students that are a lot more present now, and it’s a lot easier to teach them when they are focused and they’re not distracted and they’re not, you know, waiting for messages to come in from friends,” he told CTV News. High school students following the new rule agree. “I think I’m doing better this year,” said Marymount secondary four student Brandon. “Like I’m understanding more and it’s a bit easier.” Principals and teachers agree that it is hard to enforce what happens at lunch. Something to consider as schools continue to implement the new rule.
