SHELDON, Iowa (KTIV) – Cell phones in the classroom have been a hot topic, nationwide.
Last week, the Sheldon School District’s Board of Education took steps to tighten control over student cell phone use.
Sheldon High School, in Sheldon, Iowa, already has a policy that restricts student cell phone during the school day.
At Sheldon High School, administrators want to help students succeed in every aspect of their lives. While academics are a high priority, some development can’t be measured by an exam.
“You see a general lack of connection. I think even more so now you see people who are in groups, and they are on their phones versus being present with people and having those deep and enriching conversations. And that’s what we want for our students. I want them to have the opportunity to connect with each other.”
Right now, students at Sheldon High School are required to put their cell phones in a caddie when they enter a classroom, and they can pick it up when they leave. They can use their cell phone during open periods, study halls and lunch. But, the new policy, passed by the school board, will further limit student cell phone use.
“So, each student will be issued a pouch, a Yondr pouch. Upon entering the building, they will put their phones in that pouch and have a normal school day from there.”
A Yondr pouch will allow students to keep their phones without distractions. Phones will be locked in their assigned pouches when they enter the school, and unlocked at the end of each day.
“We want them to interact with each other. We want them to be engaged with their teachers. You know it’s a big distraction. We all have that. It’s in our pocket and we don’t necessarily have time to check it, but we know it’s there and we are distracted. So we can only imagine how many distractions a student can have in a day and we are trying to eliminate that.”
The new cell phone policy will take effect once the new Yondr pouches arrive. Administrators expect that to be in mid-October.
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