CPS rolls out cellphone policy ahead of new school year

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

With the new school year approaching, Columbia Public Schools has introduced its new cellphone expectations.

This new policy states that within CPS middle schools, personal cellphones are to be put away the entire school day. For CPS high schools, cellphones are to be put away only during class periods. The district's website states that accommodations will be made for students who require a personal electronic device for medical assistance.

Cellphone distractions have been a concern for CPS teachers since last winter, with the policy being a recurring topic during school board meeting on May 13 and May 29.

According to the Pew Research Center, 72% of high school teachers and 33% of middle school teachers say cellphone distractions are a major problem.

Hickman High School teacher and Columbia Missouri National Education Association President Noelle Gilzow said cellphone distractions have escalated through the years.

She remembers students initially texting during class, a more minor distraction akin to passing notes. However, recently, she has seen students on FaceTime calls with friends and family and watching movies during class time.

"Many students, not all of them, but many students kind of are struggling with the executive function where they know when they should put it away," Gilzow said. "They're so reassured by it that, you know, they're flipping it over and looking at it without even realizing that they're doing it."

CPS is hoping that by announcing the change a week ahead of the first day of school, parents and students will be able to adjust.

"I'm hoping that parents enforce and back up what we're trying to do in the classroom because we really want every student to be able to learn and we don't want something as silly as a piece of technology to keep them from achieving their greatness," Gilzow said.

Students who do not follow the policy follow will initially get a warning from their instructor. If their behavior persists, students are at risk of getting their phone temporarily confiscated. For four or more referrals, students would have to turn into their phones at the beginning of the school day “for a specific period of time depending on the nature/number of” referrals, according to an email sent to parents.

If parent has a time-sensitive message for the student, they can call the office and have the student removed from class to immediately speak to them, according to an email sent over the weekend to parents of students at Rock Bridge High School.

For non-emergency messages for high school students, the email advises parents to leave a message for their child to check in between classes. If there is an emergency of any kind, schools will notify parents as soon as the event is over to give first responders and school resource officers to respond to the emergency.

If parents are concerned their child may need their personal device, CPS says to contact them for any accommodations.