Rumors have been floating around BHS that 2015 freshmen are not allowed the freedom of having an app store. Questions immediately arose as the kids quickly discovered that gossip is true.

For freshman Cameron Elphick, it is not a big deal.

“I like the iPads because they are easier to type on, rather than writing,” Elphick said. “I don’t really care about not having apps, because I have an iPhone. School is easy so far, so the iPads aren’t much of an issue for me.”

Teacher Paul Musselman voices his idea.

“I feel that although every student has an iPad, we should promote proper use. It’s too much for freshman. It could potentially be inconvenient, but if a student truly needs an app, it can be done,” Musselman said. “It’s to promote being on task.”

Freshman Jessica Gorden has a different opinion.

“I want to be able to take the iPad home without paying a fee, I think that’s stupid,” Gorden said. “Not being able to download apps is stupid too, because what if I need a calculator, you know? You have to get special permission. It does come handy though, when you need to look up something fast.”

Another perspective comes from freshman Marco Napolitano.

“I think it prevents bad grades, and makes the iPads less distracting for the kids that can’t handle it,” Napolitano said. “It may not be fair, but I can deal with it.”

Freshman Parker Wilson chimed in with a mature outlook.

“Not being able to have apps hasn’t affected me yet, but I’m concerned in the future when I don’t have all the resources I may have had otherwise.” Wilson said.

Principal Rob McKim is happy to explain.

“The freshman haven’t had the experience of the freedom of an app store. To them, it’s nothing new, and they aren’t missing out on anything,” McKim said. “However, to the older population, if you take away their freedom that they are used to having, there would be backlash. They earn their rights to an app store, and most people understand that.”