Cell phones, almost everyone owns one, and they’re our most dependent forms of communication. Individuals would even suggest that we are addicted to them, especially high school students.

Students using their phones during class has been a growing problem. Teachers are ready to combat this situation using a shelf strategy in which students put their phone into a slot assigned to them. Many teachers, such as science instructor Mrs. Angela Zelenovich, also agrees that the shelf method is one of the best ways to get students off their phones.

“Every table has a shape and each seat has a number,” Mrs. Zelenovich said. “Students are assigned a seat, which gives them a specific spot for their phone. The holders are optional, but if I see their phones, I give them a warning.”

Science teacher Ms. Jean Pfeifer is using a different method, similar to the shelves; students are assigned to a bin at their table where they are required to put their phones at the beginning of each class.

“Students are supposed to put their phones in a bin at the start of class; if I see a student using their phone, I ask them to put it in the bin, or I write them up,” Pfeifer said.

French teacher Mrs. Keri Wilson is also using a different method. If she sees a student on a phone, she will place the student’s phone in an envelope.
“I give the student a verbal warning,” Wilson said. “And if they continue to use their phone, I make them put it in an envelope and give their phone back at the end of class.”

Although students shouldn’t have their phone out, some think otherwise with some teachers methods.

“I think the shelves are effective, but I don’t agree with them,” said Jacob Hummel (11).