The Newberg-Dundee school district has joined its cohorts in Oregon and across the nation in adopting stricter policies on cellphone use by students.
The changes came about as evidence mounts that use of cellphones and social media can have a detrimental effect on students. A committee formed by the district only strengthened that belief, finding that “students, educators and parents alike felt that our students were distracted from their learning due to cell phones and other personal electronic devices,” Newberg High School Assistant Principal Ben Patterson said in an email.
“We knew that we needed to take action to limit electronic device use and we also wanted to avoid power struggles between students and teachers while also ensuring a classroom free from distractions and primed for learning,” Patterson added.
The result was a policy shift that allows cell phone use only during nonclass time, such as between classes and at lunch.
“However, once the bell rings to begin class, we expect all electronic devices to be put away,” Patterson said. “This means that devices are either placed in a backpack or teachers can also use a phone holder to hold onto phones for the period.”