James Madison High School in Houston is put on LOCKDOWN after students revolted over cellphone ban in wake of brawls over devices
- James Madison High School descended into chaos Friday after students rioted over a policy change that would prevent them from using their phones
- School said the new policy was due to cellphones being at the center of fighting on campus
- Students who bring a phone to school must hand it in at the reception upon arrival and can pick it up again upon discharge
A Houston high school was placed on lockdown Friday after students walked out to protest a looming cellphone ban.
James Madison High School staff ordered a shelter-in-place order after a physical altercation broke out on campus the day before after news of the policy was shared.
The school said the new policy was due to cellphones being at the center of fighting on campus.
From Monday, students who bring a phone to school must hand it in at reception upon arrival and can pick it up again upon discharge.
In a message to parents seen by the Houston ChroniclePrincipal Edgar Contreras said, “Starting Monday, students will no longer be allowed to use their cell phones at any time while in the school building.”
James Madison High School Senior Amba Adoghe labeled cell phone ban ‘oppressive’
Houston Independent School District confirmed there would be additional security on campus starting Monday as the change is rolled out
Contreras continued, “Cell phones were at the center of the fighting that broke out at our school.”
The director did not elaborate on how telephones were central to the arguments.
Senior Amba Adoghe shared I LOVE: ‘There were many fights. They were largely the same people.
‘They make a lot of rules that they don’t know how to enforce. They are putting in place more restrictive, more oppressive rules that will have harsher consequences, which everyone knows will really not work out well.”
Other students argued that the faculty was punishing the entire student population because of the actions of a select group.
Stephanie Martinez told the Chronicle, “We have responsibilities. Our mothers may need to reach out to us. We need our phones.
“We’re okay with staying off our phones in class, but they can’t just take them away from us.”
According to a flyer, violators would receive a warning, but a second violation would result in a seizure and a $15 administration fee.
In addition to students, parents have also spoken out about the change in the rules, says Veronica Vargas ABC13: ‘It’s a public school.
‘We need to know what the children are doing and the location, what is going on, are they afraid of something? We, as parents, are concerned right now.”
Blurry footage seen by KHOU showed the fighting that had taken place at the school over the past week
Principal Edgar Contreras announced the policy change earlier this week, sparking an uproar among some students
Other students argued that the faculty was punishing the entire student population because of the actions of a select group
The school called itself a “cellphone-free zone” at the start of the academic year and said students were only allowed to use devices if the teacher allowed it.
Houston Independent School District confirmed to the outlet that there would be additional security on campus starting Monday when the policy was implemented.
Several states are moving to ban cellphones in schools, claiming the devices have contributed greatly to cyberbullying, poor mental health and a lack of knowledge.
Florida, Ohio, Colorado, Maryland, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Virginia and California have banned or are working on such restrictions during school hours.
One school in Minnesota has completely banned smartphones from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., claiming that led to more fun, less distractions and overall happiness for children.