Beloved has started, under the New Jersey Legislature Bill S-3695, implementing mandatory phone pouches under the basis of protecting students learning and safety. This won’t work. We have seen, time and time again that phone restriction and uneasy access to communications can provide several long term problems in cases of emergencies. We, as students, teachers, and parents, need to remove this policy. The faulty line between safety and restriction to a students right to their property is to big a risk even if the state thinks phones mess up students learning. Instead of addressing mental health problems or the diverse learning experience each and every student has- they blame it on technology. This ban has to leave.

Furthermore, Beloveds strict dress code limits students expression and identity through their fashion style and hair. While black, white, gray, and navy blue are primarily colors that everyone has, not everyone has the time or wants to add on the beloved logo on their personal clothing. This is excluding how many students can’t show their identity through clothing. Many people, especially alternative students, can argue that the strict dress code limits how people perceive them. While being alternative is not only limited through fashion, its one of the most stable pieces of rebellion against social norms and political stances. This dress code limits expression and can even slow down students path to finding their own identity and place.

Beloved is a high ranking school that many students adore. These new policies make it hard for students to enjoy their time at school and express themselves freely without doing trouble. Every student is different, it’s unfair to punish everyone if only a few act up.

Please change these policies.

(No AI used in the making of this petition. Everything was/is written by Aliyah Raju)