The Headphone Rule

By: Brandi Seawood

     Earbud and headphone usage is becoming a more controversial topic at Atlanta Adventist Academy ever since principal Matt Jones sent out a school-wide email stating the updated headphone rule.

     "Remember that headphones aren't allowed at school. Headphones will be confiscated if seen," said Jones by email correspondence. "This includes before and after school. And also includes the hallways. Written permission must be obtained for use during class." 

     Some think it's a good idea, while others disagree. 

     Sophomore Sergio Dan said he uses earbuds a lot, and using them during class does affect how students learn. 

     "...some listen to music or watch videos, and they miss out on their teacher's instruction. This leads to failing grades," said Sergio through email correspondence. 

     Facilitator Kathy Talton agrees.

     "Headphones should be allowed in the classroom only if it's pertaining to subject matters in class such as english, science, math etc. For the sole purpose of obtaining knowledge. With the teacher's permission, of course," said Talton through email correspondence. 

     It appears as though students and facilitators realize that headphones are a distraction in the classroom and to a student's learning experience. The real conflict comes from the second part of the rule, which states that headphones aren't allowed before and after school. 

     Kathy Talton still agrees thoroughly with the headphone rule. 

     "...have you ever heard the saying, the good suffer with the bad? No, headphones shouldn't be allowed before or after class. Simply because students will and have tried to hide the headphones and bring them into their classes and attempt to use them during class time...this doesn't apply to all students, but many have disobeyed the rules," said Talton, through email correspondence. 

 

     But students seem to have a different opinion. 

     "...whether students listen to music or watch a video before or after class, it doesn't distract them from the teacher, since instructions haven't begun yet," said Dan. 

     Sophomore Shannon Lewis rides the bus to and from school daily. Lewis says that listening to music on the bus helps her to relax before a long day.

      While the majority of students disagree with the headphone rule, however, it was only enforced because of their own disobedience. There is an appropriate time for headphone usage, such as during bus rides, and appropriate times for them to be put away-- during school classes. Maybe if students stop taking advantage of the rules they wouldn't have to be as strict. 

During journalism class, senior Morgan Parker uses her headphones to listen to an interview she did for a news story on Wednesday, December 10, 2014, at Atlanta Adventist Academy in Duluth, Georgia. (Brandi Seawood)

  

This portrait shows sophomore Halle Montrose wearing earphones on Friday, December 5, 2014, at Atlanta Adventist Academy in Duluth, Georgia. (Brandi Seawood)    

This portrait shows freshman Breanna McIntosh wearing earphones on Friday, December 5, 2014, at Atlanta Adventist Academy in Duluth, Georgia. (Brandi Seawood)    

The Cold Classroom Conflict

By: Brandi Seawood

     How do the cold classrooms at Atlanta Adventist Academy affect students? It has been generally known that cold classroom temperatures improve the academic performance of a student. However, students at AAA are complaining that the cold classrooms only make them sleepy and uncomfortable.  

     Sophomore Emily Parker, said the cold classrooms cause her to tune out of the lesson, because she finds the classrooms uncomfortable and hard to focus in. 

     "Even when the temperature starts off nice and warm or temperate, ten minutes later it feels like I'm sitting in the middle of a field in the wintertime," Parker said through email correspondence. 

     But sophomore Duy Nguyen disagrees and said the colder classrooms actually help him focus better. 

     Jennifer Cook, English teacher at AAA, is known for having the coldest classroom in the school. Even teachers have made jokes about her "hanging meat" in her classroom. She considers herself to be a "classroom dictator" and feels the room should be comfortable to her. Cook feels that a comfortable temperature for the room is 72 degrees, and it is not her fault that the students are cold. 

     "Sometimes scantily-clad children do complain about how cold it is in the classroom," said Cook.

     There may never be an end to the debate on classroom temperatures unless a consensus is reached. It has been proposed by students that a poll should be emailed to the student body. But if the results show that a majority of students are too cold, would anything change? 

     "Individual perception of temperature is a variable and unpredictable phenomenon," said Principal Matt Jones.

 A portrait of Brianna Seawood, a sophomore at Atlanta Adventist Academy, in Duluth, GA. She is trying to keep warm by wearing a hat and coat. Photo taken on Nov. 14, 2014. (Brandi Seawood)

The thermostat inside of Jennifer Cook's classroom displays a temperature of 64 degrees Fahrenheit. Her classroom is known to be the coldest of them all. Photo taken at Atlanta Adventist Academy in Duluth GA, on Nov. 14, 2014. (Brandi Seawood)

A portrait of Tamay Robinson, a freshman at AAA in Duluth, GA. She is trying to keep warm by wearing a thick coat. Photo taken Nov. 14, 2014. (Brandi Seawood)

Field Trip Photos and Quotes

A mock-up broadcast room is seen during an Inside CNN Tour in Atlanta, GA on Monday, Nov. 17, 2014. (Brandi Seawood)

The CNN staff is hard at work in Atlanta, GA on Monday, Nov. 17, 2014. (Brandi Seawood)

Students from Atlanta Adventist Academy have a discussion with Mark Waligore, managing editor. At the Atlanta Journal Constitution in Atlanta, GA on Monday, Nov. 17, 2014. "...my advice is just follow your heart," said Waligore. (Brandi Seawood)

The staff is hard at work at the Atlanta Journal Constitution in Atlanta, GA on Monday, Nov. 17, 2014. "Our policy is to correct every mistake we make," said Mark Waligore, managing editor of the Atlanta Journal Constitution. (Brandi Seawood)

Jamila Robinson gives students from Atlanta Adventist Academy information about journalism at the Atlanta Journal Constitution in Atlanta, GA on Monday, Nov. 17, 2014. "If your mother says she loves you, check it out," said Jamila Robinson. (Brandi Seawood)