No phones in school? No problem

Starting at the beginning of this school year, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and the Ohio General Assembly passed a statewide policy aimed at limiting or banning student cellphone use during the school day in all K-12 schools.

House Bill 250 requires every public school district and charter school to adopt a formal policy governing student cellphone use during school hours.

On Jan. 1 the state provided updated rules and enforcement options that began taking effect statewide in many districts.

The law doesn’t require the exact same rule everywhere, but it requires schools to restrict phone use and address distractions caused by devices. The bill pushed for schools to create regulations such as having no cellphone use during instructional time; phones being turned off and stored in a locker, backpack or classroom caddy; and reducing or eliminating the use of earbuds, smartwatches and other smart devices.

Schools were given the go-ahead to enforce consequences such as confiscating the phone for the class period or day if students break the rule.

Many districts have opted to expand the rules so phones can’t be used anywhere during the school day including hallways and lunch periods.

The law does allow limited exceptions including for medical needs, students with disabilities whose plans require device use and situations where a teacher allows phones for educational purposes.

The hope of the law was to reduce classroom distractions, improve student focus and academic performance, and encourage more social interaction among students.

Many teachers and administrators reported that when phones are restricted, students participate more in class and interact more with each other.

The results locally have been very positive, and local principals have noticed a trend toward more interaction among students as being one of the biggest positives.

For Waynedale High School, the enactment of the law hasn’t changed much at all.

Why? Because Waynedale Schools has disallowed the use of cellphones in school for several years, putting it well ahead of the curve.

“It hasn’t impacted us much at all because of that,” Waynedale High School Principal Rich Roth said. "When we made the move to no phones, the students were very understanding and complied quickly. We didn’t want to be ogres about the move, and we allow them to carry their phones on them.

“They’ve been very good about it. I walk the hallways and don’t see anyone on their phones, which is exactly what we hoped for.”

He said the result has been more social interaction.

The Garaway High and Middle School assistant principal said they have quickly adapted to the no-phone policy, and the biggest question they faced was having no phones during instructional time.

He said they haven’t allowed phones in the classroom for some time, but students could have them during lunch and study hall.

He said they debated on the terminology of what was instructional time, and they took it to the staff, board and community, and the resounding vote was to eliminate them altogether during school.

“It was really well received by the kids,” Amicone said. “We’ve had very few issues, and frankly, it has been cool to walk into study halls or lunch and see kids interacting. They are talking, playing Uno or euchre and socializing together more now. It’s like we’ve gotten back to the good, old days when kids sat and communicated with one another.”

Scott Pringle, principal at West Holmes High School, said the district approached things head on even before the law was placed into effect, getting information out to families and students to let them know what was coming.

He said the district implemented the law this past summer when school began, and it has been smooth sailing with good results.

"We wanted to be transparent with everyone, and we got out in front of it and got information out to families before it happened,” Pringle said. “We’ve seen more interaction among students, who are using their time more effectively. It’s been a good thing.”

Pringle said the school has even introduced games like chess and other gameboards at lunchtime, creating even more avenues for students to interact.

Hiland Superintendent Erik Beun said East Holmes Schools also has experienced more student interaction because of the no-phone law.

He said the year prior, the high and middle school didn’t allow phones in the classroom, but they were allowed in the hallway and at lunch. This year they decided to go all-in and eliminate phones during school altogether.

“We started the school year with no phones,” Beun said. “There’s no question that they are a huge distraction for everyone. This has created the ability for kids to remain more focused and have personal interactions.”

As has been the situation in most cases throughout the area and the state, schools have experienced good results from the law, and Beun said although phones are an integrated part of life for both students and adults, the law is sending the proper message to everyone that people don’t have to be glued to their phones every moment.