There's no doubt that technology and cell phones have become a big distraction in our society, and we certainly see it in our classrooms as well. The focus of school should be learning, and we often find that technology can distract from that, as much as we want it to help that. In order to get our attention back where it belongs, we've made the following changes to our technology and cell phone policy this year, focusing specifically on 6-12th grade students:
*No cell phones our outside technology in the classroom. Regardless of the class, cell phones need to be turned into the phone bin (in each class) or left in a student's locker during class time. Students cannot take phones into the bathroom during class time.
*Outside technology includes bluetooth or wired headphones/earbuds, gaming devices, laptop computers, etc. Students will be assigned school-issued headphones if needed for class.
*Students WILL be allowed to check or use their phones during passing time in between classes, and at lunch.
*Students are not allowed to take pictures or video of themselves or other students in the school setting, particularly in the bathrooms. Any student doing so, at any time, will turn their phone into the office, and they can pick it up at the end of the day (this part is not new).
*If students need to contact a parent, they are welcome to the office to do so; if a parent needs to contact a student, please call the office, and we'll get them for you!
*If students are repeatedly refusing to comply with the expectations, they may need to turn their phone into the office daily, or not be allowed to have it at school (this part is not new).
As easy as technology and cell phones make it to stay in contact with our children during school hours, the distractability and anxiety related to cell phones is very real in the school and classroom setting, and it is our hope that these changes will not only reduce those factors, but lead to increased student engagement during the day, fewer behavior and bullying issues, and less stress for everyone involved. When we reviewed last year's discipline logs, 55% of middle and high school discipline issues included a connection to a cell phone. Our goal as educators is to teach students how to be responsible for themselves and their phones, and to limit opportunities to abuse them. We know cell phones are not ever going to disappear, but we also want our students safe and focused on learning while we're here.
Photo Credit: <a href="https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/no-phone-calls-cell-phone-sign_209063559.htm#query=phone%20prohibited&position=0&from_view=keyword&track=ais_hybrid&uuid=b8f94185-db8f-49e6-9ccf-7e20bc5e69f9">Image by juicy_fish</a> on Freepik