Recently the rules have begun to play a more prominent role in the everyday lives of students. The reigns have been shortened on dress codes, the possession of electronic devices in the classroom, and all around behavior.
“I definitely think they should be dress coding, but I don’t think they should take away our exemptions for regular and AP exams, it is completely unfair,” senior Kristen Weaver. “I understand why there is a dress code because people should not go around parading in skimpy clothes, but there should be a different punishment or warnings before exemptions get taken away.”
Most students are scared for the consequences of taking exams next semester because of dress code restrictions. One serious offense can lead to the privilege of exemptions being extracted from the student. Even if their record is clear of unexcused or excused absences and tardies, and they maintain a grade of 85 in an AP class if they are a junior or any class if they are a senior, exemptions can stripped due to one fashion mishap.
“I approve of the crackdown on dress code because I think that when people wear really revealing clothes it gets really distracting in class,” senior Joy Che said. “You cannot focus and study correctly.”
Another rule that is being pushed more sternly is the cell phone policy. Leading into the 2010/2011 school year, Plano ISD changed the policy. Students are now able to use cell phones in the hallways and in the classroom upon the teacher discretion. Lately, more teachers have completely restricted cell phone usage from the classroom at all times. Many have set in place the rule that even if you check the time on your phone, you could be punished. The teachers would rather not deal with deciding whether or not the student was using the phone during a lesson or not.
“I can understand why they are taking them away but they can be used for educational purposes like, taking notes and checking your grades,” Weaver said. “There should be a time when you can have them and there should be a time when you cannot.”
According to the student handbook, the first time you have your phone taken up the teacher the will hold it until the end of class, then the second time the phone goes to sub school and is held until the end of the school day. The third time, the students’ parents have to come to the school to pick up the phone and the student may have to serve a Saturday school. Any accusations after the third offense are to be handled by the school.
“I honestly think the crackdown on phones is a good and bad thing, I would prefer if the teachers would allow us to use our phones during time we are not actually doing anything,” senior Veronica McAninch said. Many students suggest that being able to listen to their iPod helps them concentrate on what they are doing and not be distracted. According to the article in New York Times ‘The Power of Music, Tapped in a Cubicle,’ music can help a person gain a positive attitude and will make better decisions while assisting to complete tasks quickly and produce worthy ideas because of the mood and mind set they have.
“If we are just doing work, I like to listen to my music as I work more productively then, ,” McAninch said. “But I get it when teachers pick up phones for texting all the time.”
