This year, Cascade High School is being led by a new principal, and with that, some new school-wide policies that are here to stay.
First and foremost, a new cell phone policy has gone into effect. This policy is a statewide mandate passed this year.
Students must keep their cell phone and earbuds in their locker from 7:55 AM to 3:00 PM. New principal, Mr. Jeff Hansel has also banned cell phones from lunch so that students can socialize and to keep them from returning to class with the devices.
In addition, the new backpack policy states that students must keep their bag in their locker and cannot bring them to class. This very simple school rule should, if enforced correctly, help keep students safe in class and help prevent them from sneaking harmful things into class, such as vapes.
Another big policy shift is in regard to passes. Students receive two passes per quarter for each class. These passes are used for leaving class for using the bathroom, going to a locker or going to the office. This policy is designed to keep students in the classroom.
However, with new school rules and policies, there are bound to be students or even teachers who could disagree with them. When asked about the new policies, a sophmore stated, “I disagree with only two passes per semester paired with no bags. If you forget something in your locker you have to waste a pass instead of being able to just bring your bag.”
Sophomore Marissa Smith stated, “I think maybe the phone rule may have some positive aspects, but the backpack rule doesn’t seem to have more good than bad.”
When asked about the new school-wide policies, history teacher, Brett Lucas, stated, “I like the new school policies. I feel that productivity will increase across the board.”
When asked about the new cell phone policy, Hansel stated, “It has been refreshing to see the increased engagement among our students now that they are not preoccupied with their phones.”
It is too early in the year to see exactly how these policies will benefit students and staff, but for now, everything is going in the right direction.
