Every day at Greenwood High School, a teacher tells a student to take their headphones out. No matter how many announcements are made regarding this issue, students just won’t cooperate.  This is a major issue because of the many risks that come with this. What if something bad was happening? The students wouldn’t be aware because they are zoned out to their music. Students should have to take their headphones out as soon as they enter the school. 

    Teachers don’t nag students just because keeping your headphones in is disrespectful, but to keep you aware of your surroundings. What if something was barreling towards you? What if there was a fire? Or worse a school shooter? You just don’t know, anything can happen. It is mostly for students safety.  To ensure that they are safe so they can get out as fast as possible. And keeping your headphones in is a huge distraction and will only get you in trouble.

Most teachers understand that music keeps students focused while doing homework. So they are allowing them to use them during class with their permission. According to many research studies, music helps students work better and focus more. Music puts students in a positive mood which builds up endurance and memorization. And most students are fine with taking their headphones out as long as they won’t be permanently removed. Only about 30 to 35 kids are being reckless and leaving their headphones in during school, so if teachers see the same people continuously breaking rules, they should pull them aside and give them, and only them, a punishment.

      A lot of students feel that the no headphones policy is a bit harsh and can be made simpler. For instance, a group of around 30 students all felt that students should at least be able to keep one headphone in. If a teacher addressed a student, a student with both headphones in would just walk right  past them. On the other hand, if a student with one headphone in would take it out and talk to the teacher out of respect. So if the teachers and principal would in a way “negotiate” or see the students side of this, it would probably work out and the school won’t have to go through so much trouble just to enforce one rule.

In conclusion, the headphones policy is for students’ safety but there are ways of getting around or even changing the rule for both students’ and teachers’ benefits. But for now students should cooperate and take their headphones out when they enter the school.