As we all know, DCPS implemented a phone ban that has greatly disrupted the well-being of the Jackson-Reed student population. A majority of students have expressed discontent surrounding the hole that not having our phones has left in our lives.

So why is everyone so upset? Obviously, phones have been accessible at Jackson-Reed for many years, and for countless students, scrolling in between assignments and texting friends to meet up for lunch has become routine. Many students are upset with DCPS as they feel as though the ban won’t solve the problem of distractions in classrooms or the general lack of motivation in learning. 

Being on the cusp of graduating Jackson-Reed, a large majority of the class of 2026 believe the ban is ridiculous, considering that they’ve already gone through three years of high school with phones and done just fine. It makes no sense that seniors have to lock their phones away, given that most of them are mature enough to drive, many will be starting college soon – where they will need their phones – and in the coming year, almost all of them wbe legal adults.

The Yondr pouches have put restrictions on the freedom and enjoyment of our school day. The general assumption that students are upset because they can’t fathom the idea of losing their ability to constantly use them is false. A great deal of us just want our phones to listen to music, use during lunch, or to contact each other about clubs. At this point, it’s not even about having phones to help procrastinate a project, or social media to distract from long days, but the principle of autonomy for the student body and ability to have a say over our belongings.

The last main point of conflict with the phone ban is the insane lines to get into school. Every day locking the pouches and having them scrutinized by members of staff – who are often rude to students about their phones –  before entering the building makes security take at least twice as long. Most of us just want to get inside, see our friends, and prepare for a long day of work. The added stress that comes with making sure our pouches are closed and having to wait for other students to slowly secure their devices is a waste of both our time and the school’s. This procedure has made many students late to their first periods, and in turn, they receive penalties for being late, as well as missing class time. The whole point of the Yondr pouches was to prevent students from spending class on their phones and missing instruction, but the time consuming nature of the new morning routine has arguably led to even more wasted class time, which helps no one.

On behalf of the student body of Jackson-Reed, or just us, please get rid of the Yondr pouches. •