Seniors at Rockwall High School are entering the ‘no-phone zone’ at the Senior Tea event to practice the professional and social skills they will need after they graduate.
Senior Tea, organized by six English IV teachers, is for the on-level AP English IV and IB English IV students. They believe that manners, etiquette and greeting people are invaluable skills that these students need to possess.
“We decided that when they graduate, they need to be able to function in a professional and social environment without their phones,” said Jessica Applegate, English IV teacher. “They’re usually pretty reluctant to do something like this but once they get in here and start mingling with people that work for the district, they love it.”
Cabinet-level staff from the district attended the event to aid in the professional conversations.
“We’ve had a couple kids who are shy and a little reluctant, but when an adult approaches them, they’ve been curious,” said Applegate. “They want to know what these people do for them in the district. I think a lot of them are shocked to learn that there are so many people working for them and the betterment of their education.”
