The Washoe County School District Board of Trustees has decided to fully implement a cell phone policy for classrooms.
At the beginning of the year, they introduced a pilot program for the "Phone Away, Learn Today" policy to reduce cell phone use in the classroom.
On Tuesday they moved unanimously to continue the policy.
"We really focused on instructional time because we're looking at a K-12 policy on discipline, which is pretty bold," said Kris Hackbusch, the area superintendent for secondary schools. "So, we're really looking at if we can reclaim instructional time and have kids off of their devices and learning and engaged."
He adds, "We need to keep it simple, especially having a K-12 model, so they need to be put away during instruction. We don't need them, and they shouldn't be planning them or reading them unless the teacher is using them for educational purposes."
As a part of this program, cell phones will be stored away from students during instructional times, in cubbies, storage bins, or backpacks.
The superintendent also pointed out that smartwatches are seen to be getting more popular with younger students and should be treated the same as cell phones are in the classroom.
The Carson City School District also implemented a similar policy, and a law was passed during the recent legislative session requiring all school districts in the state to adopt policies regarding electronic device use in schools.
"We always tell the students this isn't being done to you; this is being done with you and for you," said Hackbusch.
They mentioned that this policy only works if teachers and staff and parents are all on the same page.
That also means having the same universal rules about cell phones in the classroom.
