2023-24 School Year Implementing New Rules

Brooks County Schools began their first full week of school and teachers, staff and students were all getting used to the routine once again, some new policies were put in place.

Brooks County High School released a notice to parents and students that while they feel having cell phones today is a must they are a bit more of a distraction in the school system. This led to a new policy that was shared via social media (Facebook) and on the school website.

In their release, Mr. Chastain, BCHS principal released this:

"BCHS Parents, 

Thank you for sharing your students with us and choosing BCHS. We are implementing a new cell phone policy this year and we ask you to support us and our desire to reduce distractions in the classroom. We firmly believe limiting cell phones in the classroom will increase student engagement, participation, and achievement. Please read over our new policy below and help us reinforce the need for the policy with your students. If you have an emergency and need to speak with your student during class you are more than welcome to call the front office at 229.588.2341 and we will be glad to call your student to the front desk. Sincerely,

Dr. Chris Chastain"

Once this statement released, several parents began to share the new policy. Many agreed with the policy saying it was a good thing and that supported it. Others stated their disagreement with it saying that it was going to far.

While many felt it was good and others not so much, the debate on whether cell phone use in the classroom is a necessity is still being considered today. In 2020, during the pandemic, cell phones (smart phones) were a good thing to many especially with being closed off socially. However, as schools began once again, many says the cyber bullying has also risen. The distractions from school academics is another issue that teachers are facing and while some may say "we need them to play Kahoot or to research" many schools now have Google Chrome with limited access to website that students can use, thus taking out the need for a smart cell phone.

Another school system where some Brooks County children go is Cook County Middle School. They also implemented a new policy which has parents angered and has caused an uproar throughout the community.

Recently, students who attended the first day came home to tell their parents, grandparents, and other family members that the school has restricted students (all of them) from talking at lunch until they go outside for recess and from speaking in the hall. Students are required to form a line, much like elementary, without speaking to change classes and to go elsewhere within the school. CMS released this on their Facebook page;

"Cook Middle School's administration and staff appreciate the concerns you have expressed in regards to our new lunch and transition procedures. CMS is striving to ensure all students understand the rules, routines, and procedures needed for a safe and orderly school environment so they can excel academically and socially. After three days of following appropriate procedures, students have risen to the occasion and exceeded our expectations. We have seen improvements in the hallway traffic flow and our ability to attend to students' needs. Our desire is to effectively model and teach expectations as we begin the new school year to strive for success. We value your help and support in this endeavor, and we look forward to our students having conversations during lunch in the coming days as they continue to demonstrate responsible behavior."

District 1 of Cook County Board of Education, Sharon Locklear, said,

"We are hearing and definitely feeling the concerns of not only the parents but the student body. For the record we were just as surprised as you all were when you heard the news about "Silent lunch". I have a grandson that attends the Middle school, and a niece who was very excited about going to the 6th grade, now she wants to go home. I speak with them regularly, and could see the dissatisfaction and concerns which was heartbreaking. This is certainly an issue that we are addressing and looking to find a compromise for, however we don't feel stripping the students of their voices is a successful way to achieve any goal." The Middle School Administrator are focused, and have given statements to parents, and the community. I suggest even applying the traffic light model in the lunch room. Green means doing great, yellow means ok let's bring it down a little, and of course Red means we're entirely too loud and maybe have the traffic light to alarm at that point. Thoughts?"

Parents, began to share this information and WALB reporter Alicia Lewis also reported on this new policy. Several people commented on both the District page, the CMS page, and WALB with high anger and disbelief.  Many comparing it to prisons, others expressing concerns that socialization (which should be a part of going to school) was being stripped, and more students telling parents they did not want to go back.

As a result CMS released another statement on their Facebook page, August 10, 2023. It stated:

"After hearing the concerns of parents and the community, Cook Middle School has made plans to lift the silent lunch and hallway procedures. It has been brought to our attention that CMS did not push out information in a timely or adequate manner to inform all parents. However, our students have demonstrated the ability to meet high expectations in the classroom, hallway and cafeteria for a safe and orderly environment. Effective Monday, August 14, 2023, the procedures for silent lunch and hallways will end. Students are expected to maintain a low tone voice in the cafeteria and while transitioning between classes to continue our positive school culture where students can excel academically and socially. We would like to thank our students, faculty, staff, parents and community members for your continued support. We look forward to a great school year as our students strive to be Super Hornets."

As the second week begins for all the students in all the districts of Brooks County and surrounding areas, parents are encouraged to voice their thoughts and their concerns, to participate with the school systems, and to reach out to their local school system or Board of Education at anytime.

For a look at WALB report you can view it here: https://www.walb.com/2023/08/09/no-talking-policy-being-enforced-cook-county-middle-schools-parents-outraged/