New Instated (and reinstated) policies transform learning

By Alma Adiel ‘27 
The 2024-25 school year brings significant new changes to Golda Och Academy, most of which directly impact student behavior. New phone, tardiness and detention policies have provoked varying reactions from students and teachers alike. 

Principal Huseman formally introduced these changes shortly after school started in a high school-wide assembly, where he explained to the students that these policies were instituted to benefit students and maximize their learning potential.
He explains, “I think it’s important for there to be clear consequences and expectations for how students should behave.”
Previously, electronic policies varied based on teachers. This year, a uniform policy requires all high school students to place their phones, earbuds and smartwatches into a designated blue bin upon entering their classroom.
Students can also keep their electronics in their lockers or in their bags; however, if seen or heard by a teacher, they are confiscated and placed in the main office, where they can be retrieved at the end of the day. 
A second offense results in the device being confiscated for the rest of the day and a mandatory hand-in at the beginning of the following day. The third offense results in immediate confiscation, a week-long hand-in, detention and a meeting with parents. 
 Sophomore Dov Brown  commented, “I think it’s a great way to keep kids from getting distracted during class, but it can also be problematic if you forget your phone in the bin and have to go back to get it a few periods later.” 
The policy aims to “balance the need for technology in communication and learning with the necessity of maintaining an orderly and respectful educational environment,” according to the Golda Och Academy Student Handbook.
Similar to last year, there is a two-minute passing time between periods. If you are late, you are marked tardy. However, now there is more nuance, as lateness can be marked as unexcused or excused, depending on the circumstances. 
One situation that illustrates this is arriving late to your first class due to taking the bus, which would be marked as excused. Conversely, if you spend too much time on your phone between classes your tardiness is unexcused.
Furthermore, three unexcused tardies lead to detention, emphasizing that lateness impacts a student’s ability to participate in class. 
Senior Nomi Harosh explains, “This tardy policy allows students to learn the importance of punctuality and discipline.” Tardies and absences can be easily accessed on the GOA website.
Lastly, the major consequence of improper use of electronics and lateness is detention, which can also be given for inappropriate behavior, not just policy violations. Detention occurs during lunch periods and requires you to complete a reflection to demonstrate your understanding of what you did wrong. 
Sophomore Paul Raskin described, “Detention does not penalize those who have it; it just gives them the opportunity to reflect on what happened and how it can be prevented in the future.”