MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – A Mid-South school district is banning students from using cell phones this school year.

In Marshall County Schools in northern Mississippi, students are now required to lock away their phones until the end of the school day, using special bags similar to those used in schools across the country.

Wednesday was the district’s first day of school, and students spent at least part of the day learning about the new cell phone policy for grades 5-12.

From Monday, the students will use the EVERYONE Bag.

At the beginning of the day, students put their cell phones in their pockets and lock them.

The bag can only be reopened at the end of the day with a device used by administrators.

School administrators say this is all part of a nationwide campaign against cell phones in schools.

Dr. Carrie Skelton, Marshall County Schools Superintendent, has high hopes for the new policy.

“We really just wanted to eliminate as many distractions as possible so that students could focus on the class and the academic content,” Skelton said.

“I hope they will realize that we are doing this to benefit them and not see it as a punishment,” Skelton said.

The EVERYONE Bags were used in 2,000 schools across the country.

Dr Skelton said that in response to the company’s annual surveys of 1,200 partners, 84% saw a change in student engagement, 72% saw a positive change in student behavior and 68% saw a positive change in academic performance.

Students are responsible for keeping their own bags, and if they lose one, their parents will pay $30 to replace it.

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