At Eleanor Roosevelt High School, the School Board has implemented a new phone Policy. Cell phones, earbuds, and smart watches will no longer be accepted during educational time and can only be used during passing period and lunch. These devices must be silenced and kept in your backpack or locker unless told otherwise.
The School Board approved this policy to “support a more focused learning environment.” Implementing a new policy may help students focus on academics and be more encouraged to learn without distractions.

A survey conducted by Survey.com showed that 70% of educators reported a safer learning environment with stricter cellphone policies and students were more engaged by 76%. 14% of educators reported negative affects. After implementing stricter phone policies, the survey showed that the policy improved student engagement by 20%, improved safety by 13%, improved classroom management by 8%, and reduced stress by 6%.
Some common concerns about a stricter phone ban from parents is not being able to reach their children, not having immediate contact, and students not being able to use phones for education.
Principal at Eleanor Roosevelt High School, Jennifer Montgomery stated “I am hopeful that students will start communicating with each other more, be able to stay a little more focused, have good strong interactions and opportunities to talk, and less anxiety.” Later Mrs. Montgomery stated “We have three schools that have piloted it in the district at the beginning of the year because they did data to see how they’re doing. So suspensions, expulsions went down because people aren’t taking pictures, people aren’t texting things to each other that might upset each other, and mental health is better. So even though it might be a difficult transition, I do think the outcome will be good.”
Student at Eleanor Roosevelt High School, Kadence McMains, stated ” I think the new phone policy will be hard to adjust to because its a very new change and some aren’t used to it. I think phones tend to help more with education because they have a lot of useful apps that help a lot with learning and explaining problems or giving definitions.”