In response to growing concerns over classroom distractions, cyberbullying, and smartphone addiction, schools across the country are adopting policies that restrict student cell phone use on their campuses. Florida schools now bar students from using personal devices during class; Pennsylvania has funded lockable bags for storing phones, and Virginia's governor recently directed agencies to create "cell phone-free" education policies. Most recently, California passed a bill mandating public school districts to implement similar restrictions by 2026.
Mid-Pen has long taken a balanced approach to limiting student access to smartphones during school hours. Students are required to deposit their phones in a special caddy that hangs in each classroom at the start of each class; they can use them during breaks and lunch. The goals are to enhance focus, reduce mental health issues linked to screen time, and foster a healthier learning environment.
During the pandemic students learned to rely on technology in class for connection, especially their mobile devices. Those habits have endured, whether it’s surreptitiously to text with friends or to play games. Mid-Pen knows from both research and experience that constant cell phone access can cause major distraction for students in the classroom.
English teacher Tara Theobald-Anderson has long observed students trying to use their phones in class, which used to result in the students' phones being held until the end of the day. With such a heavy consequence, Tara says that the students “did not willingly give [up] their phone. It took so long, and would eat up class time.”
Tara sought a different approach for their classroom. After finding inspiration on Pinterest, they hung an over-the-door shoe organizer in their classroom. Every day at the start of class, Tara’s students placed their phones in the caddy. "It was super easy. No fight. Kids just knew they had to turn in their phone." After seeing the success Tara had in their classroom, other teachers began using the caddy method in their rooms.
The policy was quickly adopted by the school. This year, with all the public discussion about the scourge of cell phones in the classroom, the Mid-Pen staffulty recommitted to enforcing the check-your-phone policy in their classrooms.
Student phones remain in the caddies during class and can be retrieved when class is over. Every classroom has a caddy, and teachers ensure students abide by this policy. The small number of students who need access to their phones for medical reasons are allowed to keep their phones with them in their bags.
English teacher Julissa Torres reflects on past experience as a student teacher at other schools where “students, even when I was talking to them directly, would just be on their phones.” With each classroom teacher having their own policy – or lack of policy – Julissa saw students doing whatever they wanted when it came to cell phone usage. “There was not a lot of accountability school wide…if one classroom had a certain policy, it wasn't upheld in a different classroom.”
Mid-Pen has seen significant success in the phone caddy system so far this year. Expectations are clear to students because they are consistent across all classrooms. “It makes my life easier and their lives easier, because then they're actually getting the material and engaging.” says Julissa.
Unsurprisingly, the policy hasn’t met with universal approval from students. Sophomore Sunday D. may have been speaking for many students when she said that she has mixed feelings, because “some kids do get distracted by [phones], and that’s what the policy is set out to fix. But there are times in class when I think it’s okay, and there are things they can be useful for, but I don’t know how to fix the problem.”
Still, Mid-Pen’s policy is considerably less draconian than many of those being implemented at schools around the country. Head of School Karen Eshoo sees value in allowing students to freely use their phones during breaks and lunch, and even in class when the teacher directs students to use them for class work. “We want our students to practice using their devices at appropriate times, which is a valuable life skill that even many adults still need to master,” she said.
While the primary responsibility for enforcing the policy lies with staffulty and students, Karen made a specific request of parents and guardians to help ensure success: refrain from texting or calling their Dragons during the school day. While parents may be accustomed to being in constant contact with their children, the quickest way to reach them is almost always by calling the Front Office, which can locate a student within seconds if necessary.
Mid-Pen is committed to continually assessing its communities specific needs like the use of cell phones.. They can be helpful tools for our student population as long as safety and responsibility are prioritized. There is value in giving a degree of responsibility to students, while also maintaining boundaries. Mid-Pen aims to equip students with the skills they need to navigate an increasingly digital world, both inside and outside of the school.