The Shawnee Mission School District is asking for parent input on a possible ban on cellphones in all school classrooms—from elementary to high school. The district set up an online survey to allow parents to weigh in on the issue.”We are ready to go. Let’s get this done,” said Diana Dewey, one of the leaders of the Phone-Free Schools Movement for Shawnee Mission Schools. She wrote a petition to garner parent support, which she will present to the Shawnee Mission School Board in two weeks. She has 900 signatures in support of a ban and is hoping for more.”We put phones into elementary schools with zero research … the statistics now show kids have 1,000 interactions plus per day on their phone … they are completely distracted,” said Dewey.Dewey holds an elementary music degree and currently teaches as a substitute in Shawnee Mission. Her two children also attend schools in the district. She says the Phone-Free Schools Movement has been gaining ground nationwide and recently in Overland Park.The Olathe School District banned cellphones in elementary and middle schools starting in the 2023-2024 school year, to great applause from its teachers. One local middle school teacher shared online that not having phones in class “has given kids back a piece of their childhood.”Opponents of the ban express concerns about being able to reach their child in an emergency. Shawnee Mission parent Jewell Vold commented, “Until (SMSD) figures out a better preventative solution for school shootings, my son will carry his cellphone.”Dewey says she understands parents wanting immediate contact with their kids, but does not believe having phones on their person during school hours makes them safer. She says she wants her children to have a low-screen experience and stay focused at school.”It’s so unfair to put a burden on the teachers because they say, ‘Put your phone away, please,’ but then it comes back out … it seems like a no-brainer: Support our students,” Dewey said.Parent link for input: https://my.thoughtexchange.com/scroll/796602979/welcomeLink to local info about the Phone-Free Schools Movement: https://phonefreeschoolsmovement.org/aboutLink to the petition: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeaOIsPKkwyhDZ_uzZ3xgZe0YPsNDkpTzSgI8EDHdZfUNAH0w/viewform?pli=1
The Shawnee Mission School District is asking for parent input on a possible ban on cellphones in all school classrooms—from elementary to high school.
The district set up an online survey to allow parents to weigh in on the issue.
“We are ready to go. Let’s get this done,” said Diana Dewey, one of the leaders of the Phone-Free Schools Movement for Shawnee Mission Schools. She wrote a petition to garner parent support, which she will present to the Shawnee Mission School Board in two weeks. She has 900 signatures in support of a ban and is hoping for more.
“We put phones into elementary schools with zero research … the statistics now show kids have 1,000 interactions plus per day on their phone … they are completely distracted,” said Dewey.
Dewey holds an elementary music degree and currently teaches as a substitute in Shawnee Mission. Her two children also attend schools in the district. She says the Phone-Free Schools Movement has been gaining ground nationwide and recently in Overland Park.
The Olathe School District banned cellphones in elementary and middle schools starting in the 2023-2024 school year, to great applause from its teachers.
One local middle school teacher shared online that not having phones in class “has given kids back a piece of their childhood.”
Opponents of the ban express concerns about being able to reach their child in an emergency.
Shawnee Mission parent Jewell Vold commented, “Until (SMSD) figures out a better preventative solution for school shootings, my son will carry his cellphone.”
Dewey says she understands parents wanting immediate contact with their kids, but does not believe having phones on their person during school hours makes them safer. She says she wants her children to have a low-screen experience and stay focused at school.
“It’s so unfair to put a burden on the teachers because they say, ‘Put your phone away, please,’ but then it comes back out … it seems like a no-brainer: Support our students,” Dewey said.
Parent link for input: https://my.thoughtexchange.com/scroll/796602979/welcome
Link to local info about the Phone-Free Schools Movement: https://phonefreeschoolsmovement.org/about
Link to the petition: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeaOIsPKkwyhDZ_uzZ3xgZe0YPsNDkpTzSgI8EDHdZfUNAH0w/viewform?pli=1
