Starting this year, during Community Block, middle school students are no longer allowed to freely use their computers unless they go to Ms. Burton’s room. While this rule was created to prevent distractions such as games, many students say it feels unfair, especially compared to the experience of current high school students who have never had similar limitations during their time as middle schoolers at Prep. Fiona Pudi ‘30 says, “This feels annoying and limiting because now I can’t even get my work done, and in the time where I’m supposed to have free time, I now feel like I have none.” Izzy Rico ‘30 describes it as “frustrating because a few students misused technology, and now everyone has this rule when it wasn’t their fault”. 

Many students also comment that they want to use Community Block productively to do homework that requires a computer. Some pointed out that they want to use it freely and responsibly, since they haven’t had any issues so far. Cameron ‘30 emphasized that this rule makes it harder to even use computers in the room because it’s crowded, too.

However, as I was spectating the middle schoolers for the rest of their time, it seems there is a positive side to it as well. Community Block is designed as a time for students to socialize and connect with one another, not just for work. Since this group of students decided that using their computers was too hard, they gathered to play games, cheering and socializing all the way through. These kinds of interactions might not have happened if everyone had been working individually on their own electronics. So, on one hand, this rule limits students’ ability to complete homework; however, it also encourages a lot of community building, which is just as important.