In an attempt to resolve behavioral issues and set some new policies in place, Dublin High’s administration has implemented many new systems both inside and outside of the classroom that are effective starting with the 2024-2025 school year.

In the past, cell phone usage in the classroom was up to each individual teacher’s discretion. While some teachers were strict and collected phones without allowing any device usage during class, others were more lenient and permitted students to listen to music on their phones during work time. Starting this year, however, a more standardized policy has been enforced. Students are required to hand in their phones at the beginning of each class and are not able to access them until class ends. Of course, this still depends on the teacher as some allow the use of phones during break time. Additionally, in an attempt to fix the notoriously bad Wi-Fi at Dublin High, students are now instructed to turn their phones off or set them to airplane mode in order to minimize the impact on the school Wi-Fi’s bandwidth. 

“At DHS we feel that it is our responsibility to give Gaels the tools and knowledge they need to be successful in any postsecondary path they choose,” Principal Byrne explained when asked about the reasoning behind the new phone policy. “Research shows that focus and performance increase when students are free from distraction…We want to reinforce these habits so that students can be successful.”

Furthermore, a new policy surrounding bathroom breaks has been implemented. Each time students wish to use the restroom, they are now required to request an electronic pass from their teachers through an app called Five Star. With this new system in place, a student’s departure and arrival back to the classroom will be time stamped and tracked automatically. One interesting facet of this system is that students could be prevented from going to the bathroom at the same time. If one student who has already left has not yet returned, the app alerts teachers and does not allow another student to leave. The goal of this system is to minimize drama between students and to tackle long-standing issues related to attendance and wandering around campus. 

On the other hand, a new system has been introduced to recognize and reward students for showcasing good behavior. As many are already aware, a new standard called CARES is expected from each Gael. CARES stands for Considerate, Accountable, Responsible, Ethical, and Safe. Students who are noticed acting with these values in mind will be rewarded with CARES Cash. Using CARES Cash, students can enter into several raffles with prizes like free homecoming or prom tickets and a front-of-the-lunch-line pass. 

While it may take some time for students to get used to these new systems, the ultimate goal behind them is to foster a better school environment more conducive to learning and personal growth. As the school year progresses, it will be interesting to how these measures contribute to student life and the atmosphere on campus.