This week, a bill to ban cellphones in schools moved halfway through the state Capitol after passing the House.On Friday, KOCO 5 reached out to your school districts to see what they think about your student’s phone in school.Decisions impacting your children happen at the state Capitol every day, and their phones could be banned in school.Some districts said this isn’t a bad idea. >> Download the KOCO 5 app | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channel”They are not banned from campus, but they are restricted in their use. Some of the proposed legislation might tighten down that a bit further,” said Choctaw-Nicoma Park Public Schools Superintendent David Reid.Reid said his school already has a policy limiting phones in school.On Friday, other districts, like Edmond Public Schools and Mustang Public Schools, said they already have policies to limit cellphones during instruction but do not ban them.This has been a debate this week with some legislators asking if it’s necessary for the state to step in. The bill’s author said yes, because districts are asking him to do it.Reid said he agrees with the bill but wants funding to make sure schools do it right and not be liable for the phones.“Anytime there’s a mandate from the state, it should be funded,” Reid said. “That does bring a concern if we were to house them. Who is responsible? Will money be provided for the lockers or the housing, whatever will be used to secure them?”Piedmont Public Schools say they’re looking into a policy regarding cellphones and Yukon Public Schools told KOCO 5 that they do not have a policy on phones and they’re waiting for word from legislators before making changes.Many questions have been asked regarding children’s safety if their phones are taken away. The bill’s author has said they’ll actually be safer, and Choctaw’s superintendent agrees.”You’re going to have teachers who have cellphones. There will be communication devices set forth between administrators and teachers — abilities to relay information,” Reid said.Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.The bill is not final as it still has to go through the Senate and go to Gov. Kevin Stitt, and the Senate has its own version.Below are a series of questions posed by KOCO 5 to some school districts.EDMOND:What’s the policy for phones at Edmond PS? Our policy varies depending on grade level/age. In elementary, students do not have access to their phones during the day. Our middle school students can have their phones with them but they should stay in backpacks all day. Our high school students can have them but they should only be out/used during passing time. A link to the full policy is here. See pages 4-5 for the information about cell phones.What are the thoughts of the school/supt./board members regarding students and their phones? I can’t really answer this question through a statementIf there’s a policy in place, why did Edmond PS decide to do that? We always try to be proactive and set policies to fit the best needs of our students and make sure we’re clearly communicating the expectations.Safety concerns have been brought up by parents to us, what’s the school’s message to parents who worry about their kids’ safety if they don’t have their phones? We have heard this concern and understand it’s part of the ongoing dialogue about cell phones in school.Is there anything in the bill that worries the school or anything the school is happy about in the bill? We typically don’t comment on specifics of proposed legislation, but generally speaking, we do feel that there should be some level of local control on this issue because districts and schools across the state are so different from each other.NORMAN:What’s the policy for phones at Norman PS?Here is our current regulation that addresses cell phones: https://go.boarddocs.com/ok/norman/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=BZ79FG22C86D Cell Phones: Cell phones and personal devices should not serve as distractions from instruction or learning. Principals or teachers may determine circumstances wherein use of such devices may contribute to and facilitate the learning process (examples include but are not limited to text to speech apps, online library app not available on other devices, apps specific to the unique needs of a student defined in an individualized education plan). The use of personal devices and cell phones should never be a required component of classroom instruction or extra-curricular activities. Inappropriate student use of personal devices and cell phones on school property, in District vehicles, or during school-sponsored activities, is subject to District discipline and acceptable use policies. Teachers should not ask students to download unauthorized applications. Elementary – Cell phones and other personal devices should be powered off and stored in a designated space. Middle School – Cell phones and other personal devices should be silenced and put away during the instructional day. Cell phones should not be used during passing or lunch/recess times. High School – Cell phones and other personal devices should be silenced and put away during class periods. What are the thoughts of the school/supt./board members regarding students and their phones?Superintendent: We currently have a regulation in place, and if a bill is passed, we will follow it. Local control is important. If we are instructed to ban phones, we want the flexibility to determine the approach that works best for Norman Public Schools. This topic also ties into respect. When teachers are teaching, students should be engaged in learning. Even among adults, checking phones instead of paying attention can be seen as disrespectful.Board Members: Our board members may have individual thoughts on this topic. You would need to ask them directly, as we do not speak on behalf of our Board Members.If there’s a policy in place, why did Norman PS decide to do that? If not, why did they decide to not do that?The regulation in place addresses the acceptable use of technology, including network and internet access, school-issued devices, and district-sanctioned applications. Cell phone usage during the school day is just one component of our overall strategy to help students become responsible digital citizens.Safety concerns have been brought up by parents to us, what’s the school’s message to parents who worry about their kids’ safety if they don’t have their phones?If you consider one of our high schools with nearly 2,000 students, an emergency situation could overwhelm the system with over 2,000 people trying to make calls or send text messages. This could also interfere with the school district and law enforcement’s ability to manage and contain the situation effectively.Is your district doing anything regarding this legislation at the school in preparation of it becoming law?NPS is proactively working to collect feedback on our existing policy. We recently sought input from our Student Experience Committee and the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Group. This feedback will be shared with our Board of Education, as they are the ones who ultimately approve district policies.PUTNAM CITY SCHOOLS: They have a policy on cell phones – it limits them – wording is they encourage they authorize use of devices but they prohibit it during the instructional day. Up to teacher and administrator.PIEDMONT PUBLIC SCHOOLS:”We are very early in our discussions on possible changes to cell phone policies– a little too early to discuss.”YUKON PUBLIC SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT:”Currently, Yukon Public Schools has not implemented any policies regarding a ban on phones in the classroom, as such a measure has not yet passed through the legislative process. The district is awaiting further decisions from legislators before considering any potential changes to its policies on phone use in schools.”MUSTANG PUBLIC SCHOOLS:”I just sent you 4 emails detailing the PTD (personal technology device) policy for each level of MPS schools, along with the why. The feedback that we have received from students and family has been overwhelmingly positive. I have not heard of any instances where there have been issues resulting from this policy change. As far as the legislation, we typically do not take a stance/comment on pending legislation/rules. If/Once approved, we will develop a plan (consulting with relevant stakeholders/legal counsel) and communicate that to our families.”Top HeadlinesTIMELINE: Rain turns to snow Saturday; Oklahoma to see arctic blast and snow next weekConsumers projected to spend $27.5 billion on Valentine’s DayIndiana teen arrested, accused of plotting Valentine’s Day school shootingCloud of controversy hangs over Oklahoma Capitol as week’s session endsFour people escape to safety after fire sparks at northwest Oklahoma City home
This week, a bill to ban cellphones in schools moved halfway through the state Capitol after passing the House.
On Friday, KOCO 5 reached out to your school districts to see what they think about your student’s phone in school.
Decisions impacting your children happen at the state Capitol every day, and their phones could be banned in school.
Some districts said this isn’t a bad idea.
>> Download the KOCO 5 app | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channel
“They are not banned from campus, but they are restricted in their use. Some of the proposed legislation might tighten down that a bit further,” said Choctaw-Nicoma Park Public Schools Superintendent David Reid.
Reid said his school already has a policy limiting phones in school.
On Friday, other districts, like Edmond Public Schools and Mustang Public Schools, said they already have policies to limit cellphones during instruction but do not ban them.
This has been a debate this week with some legislators asking if it’s necessary for the state to step in. The bill’s author said yes, because districts are asking him to do it.
Reid said he agrees with the bill but wants funding to make sure schools do it right and not be liable for the phones.
“Anytime there’s a mandate from the state, it should be funded,” Reid said. “That does bring a concern if we were to house them. Who is responsible? Will money be provided for the lockers or the housing, whatever will be used to secure them?”
Piedmont Public Schools say they’re looking into a policy regarding cellphones and Yukon Public Schools told KOCO 5 that they do not have a policy on phones and they’re waiting for word from legislators before making changes.
Many questions have been asked regarding children’s safety if their phones are taken away. The bill’s author has said they’ll actually be safer, and Choctaw’s superintendent agrees.
“You’re going to have teachers who have cellphones. There will be communication devices set forth between administrators and teachers — abilities to relay information,” Reid said.
Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.
The bill is not final as it still has to go through the Senate and go to Gov. Kevin Stitt, and the Senate has its own version.
Below are a series of questions posed by KOCO 5 to some school districts.
EDMOND:
What’s the policy for phones at Edmond PS? Our policy varies depending on grade level/age. In elementary, students do not have access to their phones during the day. Our middle school students can have their phones with them but they should stay in backpacks all day. Our high school students can have them but they should only be out/used during passing time. A link to the full policy is here. See pages 4-5 for the information about cell phones.
What are the thoughts of the school/supt./board members regarding students and their phones? I can’t really answer this question through a statement
If there’s a policy in place, why did Edmond PS decide to do that? We always try to be proactive and set policies to fit the best needs of our students and make sure we’re clearly communicating the expectations.
Safety concerns have been brought up by parents to us, what’s the school’s message to parents who worry about their kids’ safety if they don’t have their phones? We have heard this concern and understand it’s part of the ongoing dialogue about cell phones in school.
Is there anything in the bill that worries the school or anything the school is happy about in the bill? We typically don’t comment on specifics of proposed legislation, but generally speaking, we do feel that there should be some level of local control on this issue because districts and schools across the state are so different from each other.
NORMAN:
What’s the policy for phones at Norman PS?
Here is our current regulation that addresses cell phones: https://go.boarddocs.com/ok/norman/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=BZ79FG22C86D
Cell Phones:
Cell phones and personal devices should not serve as distractions from instruction or learning. Principals or teachers may determine circumstances wherein use of such devices may contribute to and facilitate the learning process (examples include but are not limited to text to speech apps, online library app not available on other devices, apps specific to the unique needs of a student defined in an individualized education plan). The use of personal devices and cell phones should never be a required component of classroom instruction or extra-curricular activities. Inappropriate student use of personal devices and cell phones on school property, in District vehicles, or during school-sponsored activities, is subject to District discipline and acceptable use policies. Teachers should not ask students to download unauthorized applications. Elementary – Cell phones and other personal devices should be powered off and stored in a designated space. Middle School – Cell phones and other personal devices should be silenced and put away during the instructional day. Cell phones should not be used during passing or lunch/recess times. High School – Cell phones and other personal devices should be silenced and put away during class periods.
What are the thoughts of the school/supt./board members regarding students and their phones?
Superintendent: We currently have a regulation in place, and if a bill is passed, we will follow it. Local control is important. If we are instructed to ban phones, we want the flexibility to determine the approach that works best for Norman Public Schools. This topic also ties into respect. When teachers are teaching, students should be engaged in learning. Even among adults, checking phones instead of paying attention can be seen as disrespectful.
Board Members: Our board members may have individual thoughts on this topic. You would need to ask them directly, as we do not speak on behalf of our Board Members.
If there’s a policy in place, why did Norman PS decide to do that? If not, why did they decide to not do that?
The regulation in place addresses the acceptable use of technology, including network and internet access, school-issued devices, and district-sanctioned applications. Cell phone usage during the school day is just one component of our overall strategy to help students become responsible digital citizens.
Safety concerns have been brought up by parents to us, what’s the school’s message to parents who worry about their kids’ safety if they don’t have their phones?
If you consider one of our high schools with nearly 2,000 students, an emergency situation could overwhelm the system with over 2,000 people trying to make calls or send text messages. This could also interfere with the school district and law enforcement’s ability to manage and contain the situation effectively.
Is your district doing anything regarding this legislation at the school in preparation of it becoming law?
NPS is proactively working to collect feedback on our existing policy. We recently sought input from our Student Experience Committee and the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Group. This feedback will be shared with our Board of Education, as they are the ones who ultimately approve district policies.
PUTNAM CITY SCHOOLS:
They have a policy on cell phones – it limits them – wording is they encourage they authorize use of devices but they prohibit it during the instructional day. Up to teacher and administrator.
PIEDMONT PUBLIC SCHOOLS:
“We are very early in our discussions on possible changes to cell phone policies– a little too early to discuss.”
YUKON PUBLIC SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT:
“Currently, Yukon Public Schools has not implemented any policies regarding a ban on phones in the classroom, as such a measure has not yet passed through the legislative process. The district is awaiting further decisions from legislators before considering any potential changes to its policies on phone use in schools.”
MUSTANG PUBLIC SCHOOLS:
“I just sent you 4 emails detailing the PTD (personal technology device) policy for each level of MPS schools, along with the why.
The feedback that we have received from students and family has been overwhelmingly positive. I have not heard of any instances where there have been issues resulting from this policy change.
As far as the legislation, we typically do not take a stance/comment on pending legislation/rules. If/Once approved, we will develop a plan (consulting with relevant stakeholders/legal counsel) and communicate that to our families.”
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