Helen Keller Middle School students are adapting to a new cell phone policy, which requires them to keep their devices turned off and stored in their lockers.
“Even though I know a lot of kids are mad about it, I think it’s healthier for us to interact with people than being on our phones,” said seventh grader Frankie. “It may take a while to get used to.”
The previous cell phone policy allowed students to carry their phones in their backpacks or pockets with the cell phones shut down.
The new policy also restricts wearable technology such as Apple watches. Wrist watches that do not connect to the internet and are only used for health purposes are allowed.
The use of Chromebooks has also been modified. The school administration does not want this technology to be used for non-instructional purposes, even during downtime or during a student’s study hall period. There are no more screens allowed in the cafeteria or in between class times.
“Everything is already going well, and the messages of support I have gotten from the parents have been great; they have been supportive,” said School Principal Steven Clapp. “I only had one parent who pushed a little bit on it and just wanted to know how to handle a change in plans or worry about if the child’s school plans were changing a lot, and we kind of just walked them through the process. “
Over the summer, Clapp and Assistant Principal Ann Mohr worked on adjusting the cell phone policy to reflect what they believed was best for the students and their education.
The negative effects social media has on kids was the main reason for the change in cell phone policy. Clapp and Mohr read Jonathan Haidt’s book “The Anxious Generation,” where he argues that social media and cell phone are fueling an anxiety epidemic among young people.
Part of that concern is also what drove Gov. Ned Lamont and state Education Commissioner Charlene M. Russell-Tucker earlier this year to urge local school districts to adopt the state Board of Education’s new policy guidance on the use of smartphones and similar devices in K-12 public schools.
Clapp said if a student needs to contact a parent and guardian, they can always go to the office to make the phone call.. When parents/guardians need to get a message to their child regarding after-school plans or changes in plans, they can get in touch with the administrative assistant principal, Penny Rudy, to relay the message to the student. Faculty and staff also help redirect kids and remind them throughout the day that their after-school plans have changed.
“I think it’s great,” said Rudy. “I think that it levels the field for the kids just to come in and work and take that social and anxiety piece out of the school day and get back to talking and making friends face-to-face. No one feels left out if they don’t have a device, nobody wonders what they are missing if they can’t stop and look at their phones.”
The new policy also accommodates students with disabilities or health concerns. Students who have diabetes and use a Dexcom, which connects to their cell phones to monitor glucose levels, are exempt from the new policy.
Christian Simonson, a staff member in the school’s physical education department, said a lot of kids might not like the policy, but the parents he has spoken with overwhelmingly support it.
Clapp said he has already observed positive results. “Students are now starting to go the entire day without even thinking about their phone, so I hope that translates to when they are home and not necessarily thinking about their phone.”
