Citing a “growing concern” about the impact of cell phones on “student focus, academic performance, and social-emotional well-being,” the District 65 administration says that student usage of cell phones will be prohibited in school once kids return on Aug. 25.
In a memo for Monday’s school board meeting, several administrators outlined both the reasons behind the ban, and why it will be for the entire instructional day, and not just in class in the elementary/middle school system.
The all-day ban is different than what’s already in effect at Evanston Township High School, where cell phones are prohibited in class, but allowed during passing periods and at lunch.
District 65 administrators, however, said that allowing phones during non-classroom-time was “considered but ultimately rejected” because “the administrative and supervisory burden of managing transitions between use and non-use times was deemed too high.”
In addition, the administrative memo states that letting kids use their phones when not in class but still in school “would not fully mitigate the issues of cyberbullying and the effects of device use during unstructured times.”
The administrators say a total ban “provides clarity and consistency for all students, staff, and families.”
Under the policy, phones will have to be powered off and left either in a student’s locker or in a designated classroom storage unit.
Besides cell phones, the ban also covers other “personal electronic devices,” presumably things such as laptops and smart watches.
There is a “progressive disciplinary sequence for violations” of the rule, beginning witih “device confiscation and notification of parents.”
Cell phones will be permitted for students who have a documented medical need or as part of an IEP or 504 plan for special education accommodations.
Parents will be notified of the new policy before school starts, and on the first day, students will receive “an age-appropriate presentation explaining the new rules and expectations.”
The D65 administration apparently has the authority to implement the policy without a school board vote, however, the administrative memo says the rules are being presented to the board “for your review and support.”
The board is being asked to “formally acknowledge this administrative procedure, which will allow us to move forward with district-wide communication and implementation for the upcoming school year.”
A statewide law limiting cell phones in school is favored by Gov. JB Pritzker. Such a measure passed the state Senate earlier this year, but was not voted on in the House.
It may come up again during the fall veto session.
