HOUSTON – Instead of going to class -- dozens of Madison High School students gathered outside the school Thursday morning to protest against its new cellphone ban policy.
“I feel like it’s more than just the cellphones,” said Maya, a Madison High School student. “They are trying to make it seem like it’s just the cellphones. Students go to school because they feel like it’s a safe place to be and they can’t feel that way if they are treated like prisoners.”
The ban went into effect on Monday and requires all students to turn their phones over once they enter the building.
Students and parents said the policy is too strict and not written in the student handbook.
Several students stood outside the school holding up signs and calling out chants since 8:30 a.m.
“We need to make a difference,” said Lala Farias, a senior at Madison High School. “We need to all come together to try to make a change because this is not right. Treating us like prisoners is not right. We are here to learn and be educated not to be treated like prisoners. This is not right for us.”
Farias marched with her several classmates and said the ban is unnecessary.
“Why are we banning phones from James Madison High School? Ban phones from other HISD schools as well,” Farias said. “On Monday, I had to turn in my phone and my mom was in the hospital and I didn’t know. My mom had a heart attack and I didn’t know because they took my phone.”
On top of giving away their phones, the school posted a photo on Instagram, telling students they must enter the building by their grade.
“Yea, that’s not right it feels more strict, like, it’s unnecessary structure and micro-managing. We don’t need that and we know how to get into the school,” said Ty’anna, a student at Madison High School.
District officials said the ban is in place to curb the amount of fights recorded on phones but parents say its more to it.
“This is not written this is a Michael who ever guy who was saying this stuff cannot bring in this is a lot to do with brown and white,” said Anthony McDonald, a parent. “This has nothing to do with a cellphone. Get it together, these are children you are risking their safety. My daughter has asthma. You are telling me that my daughter cannot have cellphone just in case she had an attack. I have to wait on seven people to tell me my daughter is critical.”
Students said they will continue to stay outside the campus and they will not hand over their phones.
One student said if they decide to go back inside the school, they will be written up or go to In-School Suspension.
HISD released the following statement:
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.