HOUSTON — A controversial new policy went into effect at Madison High School on Monday and students are not happy about it. Cellphones are now banned at the Houston ISD school.
Students who bring phones to school will have to turn them into the front office in the morning and get them back at the end of the day.
About two dozen students protested the new policy Monday morning. They held signs and chanted outside the southwest Houston school.
"There's issues that go on within the schools... and we need our cell phones," one student told us.
Another student said they feel like their opinions aren't being heard.
"It is a safety thing, due to the fact that school shootings are still happening. How can I let my parent know I made it to school safely?" Audrey Archer said. "If someone comes into the school and I feel scared or I'm harmed, I have to let my parent know what's happening."
Some parents are also concerned about the safety factor.
"If my child don't have a phone how am I going to know if anything happens?" Monica Swift said.
The principal at Madison sent a voicemail to parents, explaining this big shift in policy is because of fighting on campus. We've obtained videos recorded last week that show some of the brutal beatdowns. We're told the cell phone ban is an effort to keep everyone safe.
But students don't think the ban will prevent fights.
"Whether a student has an altercation or not, if they really want to fight, they're going to do it either way," Araceli Gasca told us.
We reached out to HISD for a response and a spokesperson sent us this statement.
"HISD’s policy states that students are not allowed to use their cellphones in the school building. Cellphones cannot be visible unless they are in a mesh or see-through backpack. Phones are to be kept in a backpack or turned in to the school once the student enters the building or at the start of first period.
If approved by the Division Superintendent, high school students may use a cellphone in the cafeteria or eating area at lunch only.
Students at Madison High School must turn their phones in when they arrive at school. Phones are then returned to them at their last period. Madison students do not have the privilege of using their phones during lunch. That is because cellphone video has been at the center of multiple recent fights on campus. This, obviously, endangers the safety of Madison students and staff and disrupts the learning environment. Neither is acceptable. HISD will continue working to ensure our students and staff have the safe and productive learning environment they deserve at school, every day."