close
close

Yiamastaverna

Trusted News & Timely Insights

    • New cell phone policy announced for Gardner Public Schools
    Michigan

    New cell phone policy announced for Gardner Public Schools

    Caradoc Wyn Posted on

    Violations of the new mobile phone policy may result in disciplinary action

    A new policy aims to drastically limit cell phone use in Gardner public schools.

    According to the school district’s 2024-2025 Student Handbook, students are prohibited from using cell phones and earphones or headphones during class.

    “As we continue to strive to provide the best possible learning environment for our students, it is becoming increasingly clear that cell phone use is a distraction for many students in the classroom,” said Paula Bolger, principal of Gardner High School. “This is because constantly interacting with their phones breaks students’ concentration and makes it more difficult for them to learn and study effectively.”

    According to the new policy, the use of mobile phones and earphones/headphones is prohibited in classrooms, restrooms, school offices and other academic areas.

    When entering the classroom, library, gymnasium, or any other academic area in the building, students must place their cell phones in a designated cell phone holder in the room and remove earbuds or headphones during class. Students may pick up their devices after the bell rings to end class.

    Bolger said the district will use hanging bags visible to teachers and students to store phones during class.

    “We have looked into individual lockable boxes that I know some districts have purchased. However, these are too expensive for us at the moment because purchasing high-quality lockable boxes would be an investment of thousands of dollars,” she said.

    “As we continue to strive to provide the best possible learning environment for our students, it is becoming increasingly clear that cell phone use continues to distract many students in the classroom,” Bolger said. “This is because constantly interacting with their phones breaks students’ concentration and makes it more difficult for them to learn and study effectively.”

    Bolger said the new policy was not introduced because of a specific incident, but rather because research has shown a direct link between cell phone use and reduced academic performance.

    “Students think they can listen to the teacher and watch TikTok videos on their phone at the same time. They can’t,” she said. “I think it’s our responsibility as educators to help students disconnect from their phones. For many of them, that alone is very difficult.”

    At what age are students allowed to use cell phones in Gardner schools?

    According to the student handbook, students are allowed to use their devices on school grounds before class, when transitioning between classes, during lunch, and after school.

    If students need to make an emergency call during the day, they can ask to be allowed to go to the main office, the student advisory service, or an administrative office to make the call.

    Violations may result in disciplinary action

    When students violate the school’s cell phone policy, the following steps may be taken: The teacher reminds the student of the policy and asks them to comply. The school administration calls a parent or guardian to discuss options and disciplinary action. The school administration confiscates the device and keeps it until the end of the school day. Or the cell phone is locked in a phone case, which the student keeps until it is unlocked by school personnel at the end of the school day.

    The school has purchased 25 lockable boxes for chronic offenders, Bolger said.

    Other disciplinary actions that may be taken at the discretion of the school administration include: a meeting with the parent or guardian, detention, loss of privileges (including extracurricular activities and sports), or suspension.

    These consequences are at the discretion of the school administration, which reserves the right to adapt measures on a case-by-case basis. Extreme behavior that violates the law or involves bullying or harassment of other students, for example, may result in additional disciplinary action or the involvement of the police.

    Under the new policy, the school and its staff are not responsible for damage or theft of a student’s cell phone and/or earphones. Students are responsible for any damage to the locked case.

    High school faculty supports new policy

    Bolger said the school’s faculty was eagerly awaiting the new policy.

    “We are prepared for this,” she said. “We expect positive outcomes, such as less drama and negative social interactions between students that often arise from cell phone use, and also better academic performance among students.”

    Bolger said she shared details of the new cellphone policy with students and parents before school ended last year — along with an explanation of why she thought it was important. She said she received “almost nothing” from parents in response to the new policy.

    “I think it’s because they understand that these policies need to be implemented,” she said. “They see the same things at home: divided attention, online drama between the kids and all the problems that come from excessive cell phone use,” she said. “Our parents are great partners for us. I think we’ll be on the same page.”

    Bolger said she recently explained the new phone policy to all new eighth-graders and their families during this week’s orientation on Wednesday.

    “When I finished, the parents applauded loudly,” she said. “I think that shows us that they are ready, too.”

    Tagged:

    LEAVE A RESPONSE

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Caradoc Wyn
    View all posts

    You Might Also Like

    ads