Cell Phone-Free Instruction
Cell Phone-Free Instructional Day
School Guidance
Effective January 6, 2025
Why Implement a Cell Phone-Free Instructional Day?
- Improved Academic Focus
- Reducing cell phone distractions prioritizes instruction in the classroom and helps students stay focused, improving academic performance.
- Reducing cell phone distractions prioritizes instruction in the classroom and helps students stay focused, improving academic performance.
- Social-Emotional Learning
- Encourages face-to-face interactions, helping students develop strong communication skills.
- Encourages face-to-face interactions, helping students develop strong communication skills.
- Mental Health Benefits
- Less screen time reduces stress, anxiety, and the adverse effects of social media.
- Less screen time reduces stress, anxiety, and the adverse effects of social media.
- Minimizing Disruptions
- Phones are a significant source of distraction in the classroom. Keeping phones off and out of sight during class supports a better learning environment.
Research Regarding Distraction & Academic Performance
Seventy-two percent of U.S. high school teachers report cell phones as a significant classroom distraction.
(Pew Research Center)
College students who use cell phones during class score lower on tests than those who don’t.
(Computers in Human Behavior, ERIC)
Impact on Learning
Rutgers University found that students using devices during lectures scored lower on exams than those who didn't (Rutgers University).
Mental Health
Excessive use of smartphones is linked to increased anxiety and depression (Financial Times, Surgeon General).
Expectations for Students
- Phones must be turned off and stored out of sight during instructional hours.
- Phones should not be seen, heard, or used during school instructional hours.
- Restrooms and Locker Rooms: Cell phone and electronic device use is strictly prohibited in these spaces to ensure privacy and safety.
Guidelines by Grade Level
Elementary Students, Grades PK-5
Personal technology devices (cell phones, smart watches, earbuds, etc.) must be kept in backpacks. Cell phone use or personal electronic devices are not allowed during the scheduled school day for early childhood through fifth-grade students.
Middle Schools Students, Grades 6-8
Student use of cell phones and personal electronic devices at the middle school level is prohibited during class time and passing periods. Principals may use their discretion when deciding on device use during lunch periods.
High School Students, Grades 9-12
Student use of cell phones and personal electronic devices at the high school level is prohibited during class time unless utilized for a specific instructional purpose, as directed by the teacher. However, high school students are allowed to use personal electronic devices during non-instructional activities, i.e., lunch and passing periods.
High School & Middle School Administrative Discretion:
Principals, in collaboration with their school teams, determine when personal devices may be utilized outside instructional times, such as field trips.
Guidelines for Responsible Phone Use
- Mindful Usage
- Use phones responsibly, avoiding excessive screen time.
- Use phones responsibly, avoiding excessive screen time.
- Respectful Behavior
- Be considerate of those around you during breaks.
- Be considerate of those around you during breaks.
- Digital Citizenship
- Prioritize online safety and kindness.
- Prioritize online safety and kindness.
How Can Parents Support The Policy?
- Reinforce the Value of Focus
- Encourage students to minimize distractions during learning time.
- Encourage students to minimize distractions during learning time.
- Model Phone-Free Time
- Practice phone-free family time to help students adjust.
- Practice phone-free family time to help students adjust.
- Encourage Responsible Phone Use
- Emphasize the importance of using phones appropriately and responsibly.
- Emphasize the importance of using phones appropriately and responsibly.
Expected Outcomes
- Improved Academic Performance
- Focused students are likely to perform better in their studies.
- Focused students are likely to perform better in their studies.
- Enhanced Social Skills
- Less screen time increases face-to-face interactions and relationship-building.
- Less screen time increases face-to-face interactions and relationship-building.
- Better Mental Health
- Limiting phone use can help reduce stress and improve overall well-being.
- Limiting phone use can help reduce stress and improve overall well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions
Away For The Day
Learn more about the 'Away For The Day' initiative and its plan to help transform schools into cell phone-free spaces by following the link below.
Alternatives for Communication & Technology
In Case of Emergencies: Parents may contact the school office to reach students.
School Phones: Available for student use if needed to contact family during the school day.