Cell Phones Not Allowed In Chatham High School Classrooms

CHATHAM, NJ — Chatham High School students are now having to go without their cellphones while in class, as phones must be placed in a cubby for the duration of each period, announced Superintendent Michael LaSusa.

"It keeps the cellphones away from the students' person throughout the length of the class, so we've had a number of parents email us, talk to us directly, and tell us how much better it has been. Some students have even expressed positive feedback," LaSusa said.

The policy is currently in place at Chatham High School but is not required by every teacher.

According to the student board of education representative, Riley Druhot, most teachers have implemented the policy, but it is up to their discretion.

Druhot stated that although the students are not too thrilled about the new rules, most teachers seem to be pleased with the idea and are seeing the benefits of less distracted kids.

"I can say that most students are not a fan, which is not really a surprise, but teachers, the opinion that probably matters more, they are big fans. There are less distractions, less kids going to the bathroom and wandering the halls," Druhot said.

The new rule allows all teachers to hang a jacket with numbered pockets inside their classrooms, where the cell phones are kept until the end of the lesson.

Druhot and LaSusa both noted that even though students are not allowed to grab their phones during class, in an emergency situation, such as a fire or a lockdown, they would have access to their cell phones.