Putnam County School System implements new policies

Simone Savage, Staff Writer

Putnam County's education system has implemented new policies ranging from, but not limited to, a new phone policy, a new attendance system and a new bell schedule.

The new phone policy states that during classroom instructional time, all cell phones are to be stored in PCSS-approved classroom pocket chart cell phone holders. However, a teacher may grant permission for the use of these devices to assist with instruction in their classroom. The principal or a designee may also grant a student permission to use such a device at their discretion.

Counselor Lori Strode said, "Were I still teaching in a classroom, that would have been my policy. Like, if I only have you for fifty minutes, I would like to have you for fifty minutes. And I think that psychologically there is a big impact from how much we are on our phones, myself included."

The new attendance policy is that if you are already truant, you will do seven hours of community service for every unexcused absence.

Junior Emily Register said, "The attendance policy really stressed me out not gonna lie, especially the community service type stuff, like, what they're saying is, ‘We are gonna make you do physical labor for missing school.’ I think the best way they have done attendance is if you are here a lot of days you don't have to take an exam."

The new schedule dictates that, instead of five minutes, we now have seven minutes to get to class, and classes are only about fifty minutes long.

Student council secretary, Zia Pitts, said, "The seven minutes gives kids more time to get to class and also not have to worry about rushing or anything."

Pitts said, “Neither the teachers nor the students benefit more because students benefit from being engaged in class, and teachers benefit from a lack of distraction in the classroom.”

Register said, “Only the teachers benefited because these changes make teachers' lives way easier and the students' lives way harder for no reason, it should be equal because we are not getting paid to be here.”

Strode said, “Both [benefit] because, for teachers, it cuts down on disruptions and distractions, and for students, it will make them more focused and hopefully allow them to get better grades.”