While we appreciate the potential benefits that cell phones can bring to education, we have found that cell phones are getting in the way of the learning process for our students. Our staff members are struggling with student focus because of cell phones and and earbuds and have asked for more limitations on their use.
There are no Cell Phones or Wireless Headphones/Earbuds for any student in any part of the school except the food court ONLY during LUNCH and BEFORE and AFTER SCHOOL.
To better assist our students and in accordance with School Board Policy JICJ and the Maine State law, Cony students will not be able to use their cell phones and/or Wireless Headphones/earbuds except in the food court during lunches and before and after school. Cell phones and earbuds can not be used in classrooms, hallways, senior lounge, library, study hall, or bathrooms.
If a student has a cell phone out when they are not supposed to, a staff member will take the cell phone and give it to the office where it will be in a "cell phone jail". The student can pick it up at the end of the day. Students will have 2 warnings and then the student will have to serve a detention, and/or calls to parents/guardians, loss of privilege to bring cell phone to school up to suspension. It is important that students are able to focus on school while they are at school.
Here are a few areas that we believe will see improvement:
Reduce Distractions: Cell phones have become a major distraction in the classroom. Text messages, social media notifications, and other apps divert students’ attention away from their studies and the learning process. By restricting cell phone usage, students can be more focused on their lessons, leading to improved academic performance.
Promotion of Face-to-Face Interactions: Constant reliance on cell phones can have a negative effect on face-to-face communication skills. Communication skills are crucial for personal and educational development. We believe that this will improve the communication skills in our students.
Reduction of Cyberbullying: Cell phones can sometimes be misused for cyberbullying. During the school day, we have had conflicts between students related to cyberbullying. Limiting cell phone use will help reduce these issues during the school day.
Reduction of Cheating-Cell phones can sometimes be misused for cheating. We have seen an increase in the number of instances of students taking pictures of tests, etc. We believe that not having cell phones in the classrooms will reduce cheating instances.
Improved Mental Health-Excessive use of cell phones, especially on social media, has been linked to mental health concerns such as anxiety and depression. By promoting periods of disconnect during the school day, students can have a chance to focus on their mental well-being.
We understand that cell phones and wireless headphones/earbuds can serve as tools for learning and emergency communication. To address this, students can use their phones and wireless Headphones/earbuds during lunch in the designated “cell phone zone” in the food court. In addition, we have a student phone in the main office that is available for our students.