Amidst the chaos and stress of schoolwork, lunch often serves as a break for both the body and the mind of high school students. However, the passing of Texas House Bill 1481 bans cell phones in Texas public schools and leaves students without a primary source of engagement. In an effort to resolve this issue, administrators spent their summer brainstorming ways to keep students entertained. One suggestion centered around providing students with board games in lieu of their phones during the thirty-minute lunch period.
“I think eventually [students] will warm up to the idea of having games. It will give them something to do that could turn into fun competitive type events,” assistant principal Jacquelyn Smith said. “Right now, the phone policy is still new and fresh, but eventually I think the games will be a good replacement.”
Despite administrators proposing the introduction of these activities during lunch, some students still feel unsure about the transition.
“Honestly I think [putting out] board games or interactive games during lunch [seems to be] pretty fun,“ junior Julio Hernandez said. “It also brings more people together and helps kids actually communicate with other students.”
Most kids in this generation grew up with arguably unlimited access to their phones throughout the school day. Due to this, many students appear to be hesitant about the new policy, giving further reason as to why this year will act as an adjustment period.
“So far it has been great. I see kids playing in the grass and moving around using kinetic energy which is something you need all the time in life,” assistant principal Dr. Adam Bell said. “I’m glad they are moving around, rather than sitting at the table on TikTok or Youtube the whole time.”
Both administrators and students alike worked to find ways to shine a positive light on a situation that many thought would end negatively.
“I think it takes attention and temptation off of phones, and allows the upcoming freshmen to interact with upperclassmen they might not normally hang out with,” sophomore Chloe Sims said. “When I was a freshman, doing things with upperclassmen definitely helped me make new bonds I never thought I would.”
