On the first day of school, students received the news of Portage Northern High School’s new phone policy: no cell bell to bell, a rule that had already been in place at Portage Central High School for the past year and that had also been in place at the middle schools for even longer. The policy requires students to keep their phones and other electronics (including headphones) away during class time, though they are still allowed to use their devices during lunch and passing time.
The new guidance sent shockwaves through the student body, but principal Tre Lowder does not see the cause for alarm. “If you look at what our cell phone policy states, it hasn’t changed. It’s been the same,” he says, explaining that before the 2025-2026 school year, teachers had the option of how to interpret and enforce the rule, which led to confusion amongst students and staff alike. “The difference this year is the emphasis on actually being consistent or trying to throw some consistency throughout the building. The inconsistencies [previously created] challenges administratively. Students didn’t really know what was going on sometimes. Parents definitely had no idea what was going on.”
Lowder believes the clear and strong enforcement of the policy will lead to more consistency among classes and fewer disciplinary infractions from students due to cell phones. He adds that the number of referrals in the first month of the last school year was nearly 20, but this school year it has dropped to 3. “Teachers are communicating it. Students are following it. Parents understand it. I think it can help,” he states. “It was [implemented to] eliminate as many distractions as we can so that we can foster a better learning environment.”
Students across all four grades had mixed perspectives on the cell phone policy. Freshman Joel Lawler sees it as positive. “I think it’s a good cell phone policy. I mean, some kids don’t like it because they won’t be on the phone all the time, but I think it’s a way to get off your addiction and pay attention,” he states, adding that since the policy began, “kids have started paying attention more to class.” Though there are positives to not using a cell phone, Lawler wishes there were more flexibility when it comes to family emergencies. “If your mom or dad or parents or anybody in your family sends an important text, you should get to text them back.”…