As students of Brewbaker Technology Magnet High School, we are required to complete extensive homework and assignments, both online and offline, which can take multiple hours per day. This workload not only consumes much of our personal time but presents significant barriers due to the school's current policy that restricts the use of personal devices on campus.

Many of our assignments demand access to online platforms or digital resources, but with the limitations placed on device usage, we are forced to wait until we return home to even begin our tasks. This policy is impairs our ability to finish our homework and fully understand lessons in the case we don't understand what our teachers are providing us with. In an era where technology continually advances, and digital proficiency is essential for future careers, it is crucial that our educational environment reflects these realities.

Furthermore, the policy does not consider the varied circumstances of our home environments. Not all students have access to a conducive space, appropriate time, or resources at home, which critically hinders our ability to finish our assignments correctly and safety. For people who play sports, have jobs, or have express responsibilities that take up their time, these students are forced to neglect their mental and physical health, neglecting their need for sleep in order to complete an assignment and prevent their grade from going downhill.

While I understand the mentality that personal devices may be used in ways that do not reflect the school's values, hundreds of us use our devices for purposes that DO reflect the school's values, and we are being punished because of it. Our grades do not deserve to suffer for the actions of others. We should not be forced to neglect our health in order to pay for what others have done.

We already have policies that inform us that using our devices in a way that doesn't handle school work is frowned upon. We already have the internet restricted so that we cannot access many websites (I.E., social media), of which prevent us from using our devices in a way that goes against school values. So why are we still fighting over this? We already have our solution! Teachers tell us to put our devices up, we put our devices up! If someone doesn't put their device up, simply take it away from them! This should not be something that's still being debated.

In conclusion, we urge Dr. Zickeyous Byrd, the superintendent of Montgomery Public Schools, Mrs. Starr, the principal of Brewbaker Technology Magnet High School, along with the Montgomery Public Schools Board of Education to reconsider the current device policy and allow students to use personal devices responsibly during school hours.

Please sign this petition to support a more flexible and accessible learning environment at Brewbaker Technology Magnet High School.