Mariemont High School has a reputation for a well-mannered student body. It is safe to say the student handbook is followed more often than not. However, if students were to read it in detail they would find that there are a few 
rules that are broken on a regular basis.
On page 7 under the “Behavior Guidelines Cell Phones” section of the Student Handbook it says that the second time a phone is confiscated “the phone will be held for one week and the student will receive a Friday School.” It also states that further confiscations can result in suspensions. Although students getting their phones confiscated is not unusual; it appears to be happening less than in previous years.
“We are allowing student to use them when appropriate,” says Dr. Renner. He says appropriate times are up to the teachers’ discretion and that usage should contribute to education. Dr. Renner also says that there are only a few cases of Friday Schools for and week-long confiscations of phones each year.
“Teachers give cell phones back themselves usually. The rule iss not usually that well enforced,” sophomore Elysse Widget stated. This may be the reason few students receive Friday Schools for cellphone use.
“I have never heard of a Friday School being given for someone getting caught with a cell phone. Sounds a little ridiculous” says senior Doug Phillips. Phillips also stated that he has a problem with the “Dress and Grooming Policy”: “I resent the rule of not being able to wear bandanas in school.”
Many students also share a misunderstanding of this rule. The Student Handbook it states: “Hats, headbands, bandanas, and sunglasses are NOT to be worn inside the building.”
The most common offenders of this rule are people who wear hoods in school even though the handbook never specifies that hoods can’t be worn.
Dr. Renner said “Hoods are hats. Hats aren’t allowed.”
When asked why hats weren’t allowed in the first place he went on to say, “We are trying to teach students how to deal with proper etiquette they’ll need to show outside of school. If a student goes in for a job interview with a hat on he might not appear very well educated.”
“If you’re cold and want to wear a hood, then you should be allowed to wear a hood” senior Job Jennings said. “It’s just comfortable, I mean people where pajamas to school. Why no hoods?”
Bryan Routt • Feb 25, 2011 at 12:22 pm
I liked this article because it pointed out how little teacher’s actually abide by the rules in the handbook referring to cell phones. It’s funny how when those rules were written, the most a person could do with a cell phone was text and make calls and back then teachers were much stricter about their use. Now cell phones can do basically everything and nobody cares.
Michael Weston • Feb 25, 2011 at 11:41 am
I found this just as entertaining as it was surprising. I’ve never really looked at the student handbook, but I’m not shocked that cellphones have their restrictions. I am, however, shocked by Dr. Renner’s comment on the matter. I know some teachers don’t seem to mind them, but I had no idea he was so lenient with phones.
Shelby Krimmer • Feb 25, 2011 at 10:53 am
This article really resinated with me because it gives the prospective of the student body. It is near to hear what the Mariemont student body feels about some of the rules that are set in place for us to follow. It is also cool to come to the realization that our teachers are very understanding when it comes to students using their cell phones in class. When students do get their phones taken they often think that it is the worst thing to happen to them. What they fail to realize is that the actions the teachers choose to take when catching them with their cell phones could be so much worse.
Julia Gaburo • Feb 25, 2011 at 9:49 am
I like this article becasue I think it is interesting that someone actually read the handbook for once and found some inconsistencies. I know personally, I have never read a page of the handbook except for the page my parents have to sign at the beginning of the school year. It is a well written article with appropriate examples and interviews with credible sources, like Dr. Renner and students.
Katie Arends • Feb 25, 2011 at 9:47 am
This article stood out to me because at the beginning of every year, students and parents are asked to read and sign the handbook, agreeing to its terms. However, it is no surprise that few actually read the book. What shocked me about this article were the two examples of rules that are broken daily. I think that the aticle did a great job providing the audience with information that is relevant to the masses. The writing is short and to the point, making the article easy and entertaining to read.
Haven Johnson • Feb 17, 2011 at 8:10 am
I think that these days these rules are less relevant than they used to be. Back when people were less teh savvy, only a few people had cell phones and were disruptive with them. Now, it would just be impractical to tell students ‘Don’t bring your cellphones to school’; nobody would listen. most people are never without their phones, and even teachers have them on them at all times.
the rule about hats and hoods and banadanas and other things like that has never made sense to me either. Job made a good point; with all the stuff we ARE allowed to wear to school, making a bad impression because of a hat is the least of some people’s problems.