"Put your IPod away!" "Take out the headphones!" "Turn off that music!" Orders heard throughout the hallways on a regular basis. But all that has changed this year, thanks to the class of 2009.

Last year as the class of 2009 gave Ms. Dixon a new personal IPod a parting gift . "It brought me into the 21st century," she says as she reflects on the gift. Montgomery County Public Schools has no actual policy concerning the use of IPods in school. Ms. Dixon states that "each school can decide its own policy about IPods based on the need." Last year’s school policy was similar to the one on cell phone use-- no use on school grounds until 2:10.

Since she acquired the IPod last June, she realizes the positive impact of IPods on students. "Music calms people down, positively inspires them, and gets them focused for the school day," she says. According to Ms. Dixon the new "pilot policy" for IPod use says students are allowed to have IPods out before and after school and during lunch, but not during instructional periods. Senior student Antone Davis says "This new pilot policy is a great idea, I feel like we are finally getting more freedom." Another senior Iman Said feels like "this is positive thing; it’s like they finally realize the inspiration of music."

Although nothing is set in stone and this is only a pilot, Ms. Dixon reports that "everything is working well and that there is a possibility of the rule being kept."