Cell Phone Procedures

Question: I believe cell phone use at school gets in the way of learning.

YES — 69.8%
NO — 16.7%
Not sure — 13.5%

Question: Students should be focused on learning and their cell phones should be stored during class periods so that they cannot be accessed.

YES — 66.7%
NO — 21.9%
Not sure — 11.5%

Question: Do you view student cell phone use as one of the top issues you deal with as a teacher?

YES — 90%
NO — 10%

Question: How many students in each period do you have to address about cell phone use?

More than 5 students — 57.9%
3-5 students — 35.1%
1-2 students — (percentage not visible on chart)
Typically zero students — (percentage not visible on chart)

Question: If you looked at all 180ish students you have right now, how many have chronic cell phone issues in class?

More than 10 students — 82.5%
6-10 students — 12.3%
1-5 students — 5.2%
Zero students — 0%

The staff and parent survey results, given in Spring of 2024, are in line with national data which indicates students are distracted by cell phones during class which decreases learning. Schools which have implemented similar procedures have seen an decrease in mental health issues or stress, an increase in on task behavior, and an increase in learning and test scores. Research also shows social media is having a large impact on the health and well-being of teenagers in our country. At THS we strive to meet the learning and health needs of our students, so staff members worked together to develop a procedure which is in line with our TSD Policy 3245, and similar to what our two middle schools employ. 

Resources:

• Surgeon General Issues New Advisory About Effects Social Media Use Has on Youth Mental Health | HHS.gov 
• Away For The Day 
• How Social Media Affects Your Teen’s Mental Health: A Parent’s Guide > News > Yale Medicine

Under our new policy, students will never go more than 75 minutes without the ability to use their phones as needed during the school day. We believe the ability to focus on classroom activities and interact with peers will have a positive impact on their stress levels, particularly if they know they have the ability to access phones outside of class time.

Studies have shown that students who use social media are at a higher risk of depression, so stepping away from social media during class will allow our students to disconnect at intervals throughout the day. Access to smartphones, texts, and social media on a continual basis diminishes our students’ ability to connect with each other in person during the day (Monitoring the Future Organization).

Face-to-face time with friends and classmates counteracts the isolating, depressive feelings that come up when looking at a screen.  See more studies on the social-emotional effects cell phones have on teens at the Away For the Day website.

In an NPR story, a security expert explains why each student having a phone in a lockdown is not great:

Ken Trump, the security expert, says phones can actually make us less safe in a crisis such as the one in Parkland. He ticks off several reasons:

1. Using phones can distract people from the actions they need to be taking in the moment, such as running, hiding, and listening to directions from first responders.
2. The sound of the phone, whether ringing or on vibrate, could alert an assailant to a hiding place.
3. The shooter or shooters could be monitoring the event themselves on social media and find more victims or elude capture that way.
4. Victims and worried family members trying to get through can jam communications, interfering with first responders.

Source: Away for the Day website

No. It is better to let students use a computer than to have a phone because the apps and notifications on the phone are constant distractions. Also, non-sanctioned screen time on phones is much easier to sneak in than doing so on a computer.  Studies show that kids’ academic performance goes down with the presence of a phone in class.

Source: Away for the Day website

We know that the control center for impulse control, the frontal lobe, is not fully developed in school-aged children. When we say “kids just need to learn how to handle phone use in places like classrooms,” we are setting many kids up for failure.  

Source: Away for the Day website

Data from academic research shows this is not the case. More than 80% of parents do not want their kids to use cellphones during school. When parents help their kids plan their days without text messages, they help them develop valuable executive-functioning skills.

Source: Away for the Day website

When kids who are struggling with being social are allowed to retreat into their device during the social setting of a classroom, their ability to work on communication skills is negatively impacted.

Source: Away for the Day website

Students will have full access to their phones before school starts, during Power Hour, during all 7 minute passing times, and after school.

If your family has an emergency and you need to be in touch with your student during a 79-minute class period, you may call the THS front office and we will have your student get a hold of you. The phone number to the THS front office is (425) 413-6200.

At both middle schools, students either leave their cell phones at home during the school day or keep them in their backpacks all day including passing times and lunch. This is developmentally appropriate for ages 11-14. At THS, our students will have access to their phones during all 7-minute passing periods and during Power Hour, as well as before and after school.

There are 4 different classroom options. Performing Arts classrooms will use a numbered pocket system. Some classrooms will use numbered cell phone lockers. Most classrooms will use either large or small plastic boxes with lids which will be kept on desks/tables. See photos below:

Yes, the Tahoma School District policy allows teachers to have cell phones utilized during class for learning purposes. 

No. Students need to bring charged computers each day for learning purposes. Cell phones will not be used if students do not bring a computer to school. As in past years, students can bring their own computer or check one out from TSD. We will continue to have tech support at THS and also have a few computers available for check out in emergency situations.

Students who have a documented medical use for the cell phone will not be impacted by this procedure change. If your student does not already have this accommodation in their Student Health Plan or 504 plan, please contact our office at (425) 413-6200 for further instructions.

We have wonderful students who want consistent learning environments each period. Our procedure is absolutely not a punishment for a few kids not following expectations, rather our focus is on providing a learning environment focused on content and skills for 79 minutes. Students will then have access to their phones for 7 minutes of passing time and during Power Hour.

Students will keep earbuds and headphones put away during class time. They may be used before school, during passing time, during Power Hour, and after school when students have access to their cell phones and music.

We are working closely with our teachers to have strong procedures in place to keep cell phones safe. For example, in most classrooms students will have their cell phones in boxes within eyesight. In other classrooms, the teacher will have a box or hanging device and will place those cell phone holders in safe locations without easy access during learning time.

There are many different types of watches and it is impossible to tell which ones allow social media and texting and which do not. At this time, we will not be requiring watches to be placed in the cell phone containers.

There are many ways that this need can be accomplished. For example, many computers can take pictures, so this approach could be used. In addition, before class and after class are good options. Finally, TSD Policy allows teachers to have students use cell phones for educational purposes so if a teacher wants all students to take a picture of the board, it is appropriate.