OLATHE, Kan. (KCTV) – A new cell phone policy implemented this year is having a large impact in classrooms according to teachers and administrators in the Olathe School District.
Olathe’s board of education heard updates on the policy that prevents students from using cell phones and smart watches in classrooms. The policy took effect in August.
Months later, teachers say they are seeing changes in their students at all ages.
Elementary Schools
Elementary school teachers told school board members that the transition has been a pretty smooth one, and they’ve witnessed a significant change. There are also fewer disruptions to the day, according to the educators.
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“Many of us were having to refocus students from being on their watches throughout the day and many students were receiving texts and even calls on their watches, which I’m happy to report has stopped,” Laura Dondzila, Pleasant Ridge Elementary School principal, said.
Dondzila also pointed out that elementary school teachers faced a much larger issue with students having smart watches than cell phones.
“While some elementary students have cell phones, they more commonly have smartwatches. Parents do send their child with the device for ease of mind at bus stops, on the bus, and for students who walk home,” Dondzila said.
Teachers said they’ve worked with those families who want students to have smart watches for before and after school.
“For the smartwatches, we have worked with students and families to either turn their smart watches to the do not disturb mode or to also keep their watch in their locker or backpack,” Dondzila said.
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Overall elementary school teachers say they are happy with the policy.
“We believe it’s been a positive change, and even better a really smooth transition,” Dondzila said.
Middle Schools
The transition at middle schools across the Olathe School District hasn’t been quite as effortless as at elementary schools.
Administrators say the change is well worth the effort.
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“One of the biggest things that I see is that it’s increased face to face interaction. Last year I would walk down the hallways, there were so many heads down looking at their phones. It was every single passing period. Sometimes you’d say ‘hi.’ Sometimes they’d be so engulfed listening to their headphones or looking at their phones that they wouldn’t respond back. Now I’m seeing smiling faces,” Bryan Kindle, California Trail Middle School Assistant Principal, said.
More smiles on faces and less stress felt by students, according to Kindle. He said the shift in policy is forcing students to make connections.
“Kids have had to talk to each other,” Kindle said.
Middle school teachers said they’ve also noticed the change.
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“They’ve noticed it’s a lot harder for kids to be mean to each other face to face. Its real easy behind a screen to bully or be mean to someone. This has pretty much taken care of that in the school,” Kindle said.
Students, however, report they are not thrilled with the district’s cell phone policy.
“They miss social media. They miss messaging their friends. They miss playing games,” Kindle said.
“Some of them understood. They just want to be able to be on it because it is an addiction and I think this is helping them out for the real world.”
Kindle said there are a couple of revisions that may be considered in the future. One possibility is allowing members of yearbook committees to use cell phones to take pictures and videos.
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“Overall our cell phone policy has helped teach our students more technology habits that they’re gonna be using in their everyday lives and in the workforce and I think it’s been a tremendous thing that we’ve done this,” Kindle said.
High Schools
While high school students don’t necessarily like the cell phone policy has not been an issue according to teachers.
“Probably not the kids favorite policy put in place, but the strengths, or maybe some of the successes have included maybe some more instructional time and engagement in classrooms. As you walk in you see more heads kinda up and looking around rather than maybe in a lap or on a device,” Chris Zuck, Olathe Northwest principal, said.
Zuck pointed out that one of the successes of the policy is how its written. He said it takes into account the ages of students instead of just implementing a blanket policy.
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“I think it acknowledges the difference in maturity and responsibility that some of our high school students have with for instance part time job, or sibling care, or pieces that are just a little more close to the adult part of things,” Zuck said.
Overall none of the teachers reported extensive issues implementing the new cell phone policy.
A number of other school districts in the Kansas City area have also implemented policies preventing cell phones from being used in classrooms.
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