GRANGER has been having a no phones policy throughout the year, and figuring out ways to communicate isn’t a struggle for the students at Granger. Take, for example, Esteban Naranjo (10). Communicating with his girlfriend, Yareli Jazmin Tapia Vazquez (10), is something they’ve figured out. 

“We planned out a map to meet up before and after class,” Naranjo said. Using a map they made before school started with their schedules, they were able to figure out how to meet up with each other and still talk without using a phone.

“If we have a change in plans, we just send each other an email before class ends,” Naranjo said. This is a smart system to have in case one person can’t be there if something comes up, and for the other person not to stay waiting without any warning. 

These two, who have been together for eight months and are still going strong, and they offer good advice. Although they only have one lunch together on a B-day, it’s good they have time for themselves and for friends as well. “It’s healthy to balance relationships with friendships for both of us to be healthy,” Naranjo said.

“We use a hall pass and find each other in the halls,” Rafael Ramirez (11) says about how he and his girlfriend, Liliana Casas (10), communicate throughout the school day. Occasionally, they pick specific spots before class to know where to meet, but sometimes it’s just destiny that they find each other in the halls. Meeting through a friend group and holding their relationship for a month, they seem to make it work without trying. 

Using only a phone number to communicate outside of school seems like it would make it hard for them to see each other in the halls, but they somehow make it work without using their Chromebooks or phones.

Looking now at new relationships, there are two examples. These two fresh relationships at Granger are making it work with no phones after meeting at Granger High. Wendy Tuero (9) is in a short but sweet relationship with her boyfriend, which has been going strong for one week. Wendy and her boyfriend memorized each other’s schedules and planned out where they wanted to meet before and after class. 

Also, Uriel Alcala (10) and his girlfriend, Cesea Alvares (10), are going strong for one week as well. Uriel and Cesea walk each other to class and share a class together, where they do their planning. 

Having these ways of communicating can help other couples—and friends—communicate during their day at Granger High. By being creative with the resources they have, more students can still make friends and even find a loving partner without using their phones.

Rendezvous and assignations allow for romantic interludes