HOUSTON – On Monday, a new cell phone policy will be going into effect at one HISD school which has caused an uproar among students.
The administration at Madison High School said that the use of phones during school hours will be prohibited due to the recent role phones have played in fights.
Principal Contreras said that a lockdown was issued after he announced the plan for the new policy because the students were ‘angry’ and had caused ‘disruption on campus.’
This was the second consecutive lockdown implemented. The first one, which happened a day before, was initiated as a precautionary measure following two altercations in different areas of the campus.
SEE ALSO: Madison High School faces back-to-back lockdowns amidst rising campus tensions
Starting Monday, students bringing phones to school will be required to take them to the front office upon arrival and retrieve them at the end of the school day.
Principal Contreras issued the following statement addressing the situation, emphasizing the need to ensure the safety of both students and staff:
“This is an important message for families of students at Madison High School from Principal Contreras. Our school is currently on lockdown due to concerns over recent fights that have occurred on campus.
As you know, we communicated yesterday that, beginning on Monday, students will not be allowed to use their cell phones – at any time – while they are inside the school building. Cell phones have been at the center of fights that have broken out at our school. In an effort to keep our students and staff safe, any student who brings a phone to school will need to turn the phone in at the front office at the start of the school day and pick up the phone at dismissal.
Some students who are angry about this policy have caused disruptions on campus today, prompting the lockdown that is in place. We have additional support from the HISD South Division as well as additional officers from HISD Police at our school as we work to keep everyone safe. Again, this has been an important message from Madison High School Principal Contreras.”
HISD also released a statement about the policy.
HISD’s policy states that students are not allowed to use their cellphones in the school building. Cellphones cannot be visible unless they are in a mesh or see-through backpack. Phones are to be kept in a backpack or turned in to the school once the student enters the building or at the start of first period.
If approved by the Division Superintendent, high school students may use a cellphone in the cafeteria or eating area at lunch only.
Students at Madison High School must turn their phones in when they arrive at school. Phones are then returned to them at their last period. Madison students do not have the privilege of using their phones during lunch. That is because cellphone video has been at the center of multiple recent fights on campus. This, obviously, endangers the safety of Madison students and staff and disrupts the learning environment. Neither is acceptable. HISD will continue working to ensure our students and staff have the safe and productive learning environment they deserve at school, every day.
KPRC 2 Reporter Corley Peel spoke with students who are outraged over the new policy.
“It feels like jail,” said Jace Cooper.
“I feel like you shouldn’t take our phones, you don’t pay for that,” said Meiyah Loggia.
“What security is there at this school? How am I supposed to be protected and safe here? How are my parents supposed to know I’m safe at this school when they’re taking phones away? There could be an active shooter and how are we supposed to contact our parents,” said Natalie Lopez.
Natalie Lopez said cell phones were not the only items taken up on Monday.
“Phones, Airpods, watches, anything,” said Lopez.
KPRC 2 obtained several videos of fights that broke out at the school last week. They show students throwing fists, punching each other on the ground and one student being restrained by authorities.
“They were really bad. There was people falling on top of each other, people throwing stuff, adding stuff to the fight, jumping in and the fights getting bigger and bigger and it just wouldn’t stop,” said Lopez.
Students said there are surveillance cameras in the school hallways and in some of the classrooms.
The students do not believe banning the cellphones will prevent students from fighting in the school.