Cypress Ranch has introduced a new policy that prohibits earbud usage in classes, during passing periods and restricts students to one earbud at their lunches. Some students have said the policy infringes on their personal space and comfort, while administrators have indicated this policy will help boost learning in classrooms and make students more alert in the hallways.
Students’ Voices
Some Cypress Ranch students think that it is not justifiable for their earbuds to be confiscated during their passing periods. They emphasize that the policy appears overly restrictive and diverts attention away from more pressing issues within the school.
“We should… [be] working on our school and fixing what we need to fix… instead of working on a minor thing [like earbuds],” Cypress Ranch senior Marquis Bookman said.
Junior Christopher Montanez echoed similar frustrations. He said he was stopped by an administrator during his passing period with his right earbud in earlier this year.
“It makes no sense that of all the things to better within the school they decide to go after people with earbuds on in the hallways,” Montanez said.
He said he was threatened with possible suspension after refusing to give up his earbud, so he ended up giving up his earbud, which his mom later had to retrieve from the school.
Senior Julian Landrun expressed similar sentiments.
“The original rule where having it in one earbud was smart, so [we] can still hear the surroundings while also being able to listen to music,” Landrun said. “I think saying no [earbuds] and going to the point [of] taking them is a little too much… it’s excessive in my opinion.”
Senior Jamie Turner said even with earbuds in, students can still hear important events or announcements going on around them. For some, the earbuds play a critical role in managing their mental health.
“There is no point in taking our [earbuds],” Bookman said. “Some people deal with depression and anxiety, so they need their earbuds to listen to their music.”
Future Possibility
There has been no indication of modifying the new earbud policy. As a result, slowly but surely, students are reluctantly adjusting to the restrictions though others remain hopeful for future changes that might better balance the school’s regulations with more earbud leniency.
