AS STUDENTS walk through the halls, headphones are everywhere. Starting January 20, administrators and teachers will enforce the existing headphone policy. The district has long had a policy against these devices, but Governor Cox wants to implement a strict cell phone and headphone-free environment in schools.

Assistant principal McMillan is in charge of enforcing this policy. “The district already had this policy, Governor Cox wants to enforce it more, bell to bell, all electronics should be off and in the Yondr pouch,” McMillan said. These policies will help lancers in the future to pay more attention to their surroundings.

Teachers have submission forms to fill out and to keep track of how many infractions students have. Students won’t have any access to these electronics during passing time or lunch. Hall monitors will help with enforcing these policies by also having access to the form for device usage,” McMillan said. “This enforcement will continue for the rest of the school year and beyond. All of these policies are available on the school website. Teachers can play music for everyone in the classroom,” McMillan added. She has a cellphone safe in the main office where she holds all of these devices taken until the end of the school day. “Rules seem hard to follow, but they are there to help people be aware of their surroundings,” McMillan concluded.

Many lancers say that music helps them focus and helps them block out noise when their class is too loud.

Daniela Rivera (11) likes to listen to R&B, “white girl music,” and music from the 2000s. “Schools should let us use headphones at appropriate times. A lot of people, including myself, work better with music. I think not having headphones will affect us because more people are going to be sleeping in class,” she said.. “I rely on music a lot; it helps calm me down, helps me get work done, and helps me not feel awkward when the class is silent. If they take away access to my personal music, it’ll demotivate me from staying on track with my assignments. I think I’ll most likely fall asleep in class,” Rivera said.

Many students think taking away AirPods will likely stress them out. Students rely on music to destress and reduce anxiety. Lancers also express creativity with music.

Denise Le (12) enjoys R&B. “I feel like the policy isn’t really affecting me as much because I’m a senior, but I think it’s an unnecessary rule because people need music to cope. Students listen to music to get in the zone, and it’s just a way they can ignore everything else around them and do their own thing. I’m not suggesting we get rid of the policy, but we could allow headphones at the right time, which would help everyone else. I know the admin will be heavily expecting this, but hopefully it’ll mellow down,” Le said.