MARQUETTE, Mich. (WLUC) – A new Michigan House bill would require school boards to implement a statewide policy restricting cell phone use in schools.
It would break down the restrictions by age group. For kindergarten through fifth grade, cell phones would be banned. For sixth through eighth grade, phones could only be used before and after school, not during class time.
High schoolers could only use phones before the school day starts, after it ends, during the passing time between classes and in the lunchroom. They would be restricted in bathrooms or locker rooms, and during instruction time.
The Superintendent for NICE Community Schools says they already have a similar cell phone policy that is stricter for middle school students.
“We don’t have any cell phones during academic time here at Westwood High School” NICE Community Schools Superintendent Bryan DeAugustine said. ” In our middle school, there’s no cell phone use at all, and for the elementary, we regulate it very closely. Although it’s never really much of an issue with the elementary students, we are trying to make sure that our kids have less screen time rather than more.”
DeAugustine also says their cell phone policy has support from parents in the district. He said the proposed legislation wouldn’t mean any new changes for the school district.
Similarly, Gwinn Area Community Schools have had a cell phone policy for years and last year, they began enforcing it more thoroughly.
“We’re trying to reduce the number of distractions and interruptions during the class periods. Something as simple as a phone going off throws everybody’s mind somewhere else,” Gwinn Middle/High School Principal Brad Pfluger said.
Pfluger also said if students use their phones in the classroom, they’re not focused on learning.
The proposed legislation has been referred to the Committee on Education.
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