Mitch Jacobs

Staff Writer

   LOHS students are reeling from the enforcement of “new” rules. The two that have sparked controversy are no cell phones in school, not even in the hallways or at lunch, and no more playing songs with explicit lyrics even if those had been edited at sports events.

     At the beginning of the year, all the teachers gave their “beginning of the year spiel” about how they run their classes, and the rules that would be enforced throughout the year.  Some teachers said to keep the cell phones up; they never wanted to see them. Others said not while they were lecturing or during class discussions. Others had nothing to say about cell phones. 

    LOHS students have been conditioned up to this point in the school year to believe that cell phones are okay in the halls and common areas. However, as of mid-January, the cell phone expectations have changed.  Now, cell phones are not allowed during the school day at all.  Principal Brian Harper explains that the rule and increased enforcement are a result of “reports from parents concerned that students are copying tests and answers using their iPhones and situations of students picking on each other through texting during school hours.”  The use of phones during school led to more disciplinary referrals. In an effort to alleviate some of the problems caused by constant contact through texting and social networking sites, administrators and teachers across the district are prohibiting phone use during school hours.

    Another change affects student-athletes. Throughout the fall sports seasons and through the majority of the basketball season, the warm-up music was usually rap by artists such as Eminem, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne...etc.  While the lyrics from these artists tend to be explicit and vulgar, the person responsible for making the warm-up C.D. had to get edited versions which meant no curse words.  Recently, the administration has changed the policy. Harper sheds light on this change, “There have been complaints made about the types of music being played across the district during warm ups. We are having to monitor it and make sure it is appropriate for all ages.”

    While LOHS students don’t like the recent changes, they needed to happen.  Cracking down on cell phone use will lead to less disciplinary referrals, less cheating on tests, and less distractions during school hours.  The closer monitoring of warm-up music will make the basketball games more suitable and appropriate for people of all ages to enjoy.