District 128 leadership announced the Ready to Learn framework to be implemented at the start of the 2025-2026 school year. This framework is a set of guidelines that clarifies pre-existing policies regarding technology use in the class- room. Some of those guidelines include the usage of the Cell Hotels (also known as the phone home), removal of headphones, and the student’s active participation.

With the new guidelines in place for almost two months, students and staff have had time to reflect on the new framework and its implementation. Dr. Andrew Young, VHHS Principal explains that the framework is a product of a year-long collaborative effort between the district administrators, school administrators, and certified staff with the effort to create consistent guidelines for all teachers to follow.

“The reality is, as we worked with our teachers, 80 to 90% of teachers in this building already had some sort of cell phone policy in their room, but it looked a little different, and so it gave students inconsistent expectations,” Young said.

Young hoped that by making the phone home as an official policy, students would have a more consistent set of expectation throughout all of their classes. It’s expected that every teacher will continue to enforce the rules throughout the entire year.

Young hopes that through this, students can spend time away from cellular devices and will socialize with their peers. Many teachers agree that this year is different from last year. Some have seen changes  in the classroom environment and differences in how students behave during class time.

Neal Hausmann, Science teacher, is glad that every teacher is participating in this endeavor.

“[Since the policy is required] it’s much easier to have it implemented in the classroom,” Hausmann said.

Paul Brettner, math teacher, also noted the benefits of the framework.

“It’s nice that everybody’s being consistent. Most students know to put [their phones] into the phone home right away as class starts,” Brettner said.

On the other hand, some students have mixed feelings about this new change. Some see the benefits while others have some disagreements.

Caia Bailey (12) mentioned how there isn’t much of a difference between the current school year and the previous years. She also noted how some students protested against the new framework, but in the end students still respect the guidelines. She also mentioned some difficulties that came with the framework in her own experiences in school.

“I have to memorize what number I am in every class… Sometimes people put their phone in my number, and that annoys me. [Everyone has] a different [number] in every class so it’s hard,” Bailey said.

For some classes, Bailey finds that the location of the cell hotel can be an inconvenience for larger classes like orchestra.

Since the cell hotels are located in one area there are traffic jams as students retrieve their phones after classes end.

Sophia Kamarauli (12) said that the framework was a decision that benefits the students in their education.

“I feel like it’s a step forward because in a lot of my previous classes, there have been people who just have the headphones in and they’re just listening to something else while the teacher’s [speaking],” Kamarauli said.

However, just like Bailey, Kamarauli also faced some challenges that came with the policy in many of her classes like STEM and Biology. Within those classes phone usages would have been more convenient to take photos of the experiments. Still with the new framework Kamarauli noted how the level of focus among her peers increased compared to last year.

Despite differing opinions, the school is adapting to these changes and the students are flexible and respectful. Whether the framework is helpful or a hassle, many students are diligently following the framework everyday.

“I really appreciate our teachers’ thoughtfulness and implementation [of the f1ramework]. And most importantly, I just appreciate our kids,” Young said. “I just respect that our kids almost always do the right thing, and I’m grateful for them rising to the occasion.”