Cole Huey, originally enthusiastic to start his sophomore year of high school, was greeted with a cell phone crackdown that made for a rough start to the school year. Ojai Valley School began enforcing its zero-tolerance phone policy, not allowing students to use their phones throughout the academic day, including the sports period.
“It’s just really inconvenient because I use my phone for more than just social media,” Cole said. “I can’t even check the time or look at my schedule now.”
With a new school year on the horizon, OVS administrators collectively decided to begin actually enforcing the no-phone rule.
The policy, consistent with previous handbooks, aims to reduce phone distractions and promote engagement. Towards the end of the 23’-24’ school year, multiple teachers raised concerns about students being glued to their phones and not socializing with other students. The administration considered various measures, opting for a firm adherence to the existing policy. They also installed clocks around campus to address the reliance on phones for time.
OVS Head of Campus Craig Floyd said he had concerns about phone usage the previous school year but has noticed a positive change in students’ behavior since the phone policy was instilled.
“We have seen an increase in the use of cell phones by students where they are so checked out during free time that they’re not even socializing, and that’s why we needed to make a change,” Mr. Floyd said. “Now, whether they’re using that time to study or playing games outside, they’re doing more things rather than just having their head buried in their phone.”
The faculty, including Mr. Floyd, have additionally reduced phone usage during work hours in an attempt to set an example for students. While the faculty and Mr. Floyd have noticed a change for the better, students still tend to disagree with the policy.
Junior resident student Mieke Wells is not fond of the phone policy, as she views it as overly controlling.
“I just don’t see the point in banning phones,” Miee said. “I already can’t use my phone every night for two hours during study hall and now I can’t use it at all during the day.”
Mieke added: “In my opinion, that’s just kind of crazy. I use my phone to talk to my friends and parents back home and sometimes I need a break from school and I just wish I could go on my phone and chill.”
Senior resident student and ASB president Teni Aderibigbe voiced similar concerns with the new policy but also saw the positive aspects of it.
“I’m going to say I’m neither against nor am I for it. The inconvenience that comes with it are many, like limited access to academic tools and the inability to take photos of the board in class.” Teni said “I think it’s kind of a good thing because it allows students to be able to focus more on school work during free periods. It also creates and facilitates a reason to talk with other people and find alternatives to scrolling on social media.”
While students have mixed opinions on the new policy, OVS plans to continue to enforce it regardless and hopes for increased positive changes and reactions with time.
“It sucks and I miss having my phone, but at the end of the day complaining about it won’t change anything, so I guess we all just have to deal with it,” Cole said.