Cell Phones in Pouches During Classroom Instruction Next School Year
CCSD is taking an innovative approach to promote a healthy learning environment in the next school year: Students in Grades 6 to 12 must put away their cell phones while in the classroom.
“This is a critical step as we work to ensure that students and educators are in a safe, non-disruptive space that fosters learning and provides students with the quality education they deserve,” says Interim Superintendent Dr. Brenda Larsen-Mitchell.
Students in middle and high school will place their phones in non-locking, signal-blocking pouches that will prevent cell phones and other devices from sending or receiving signals while inside the pouch.
The pouches are easily incorporated into classrooms, testing environments, and other areas where maintaining a device-free environment is crucial.
Students’ cell phones will be held in a pouch in a safe location near the student within the classroom and be accessible in an emergency.
Elementary schools will have the option to require non-locking, signal-blocking pouches if they believe it is appropriate for their campus.
Key Research Supporting Signal-Blocking, Non-Locking Pouches in Clark County School District
Recent research highlights significant negative impacts of cellphone use on middle and high school students, making it imperative to adopt measures that protect their well-being and academic success.
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Signal-Blocking, Non-Locking Pouch Frequently Asked Questions
Non-locking, signal-blocking pouches prevent electronic devices from sending or receiving signals while inside the pouch. The primary purpose is to ensure a distraction-free and safe learning environment.
Classrooms are for learning and instruction, the benefits of using non-locking, signal-blocking pouches are minimizing distractions, promoting responsible device use, and safe learning environments.
Students’ cell phones will be held in a pouch in a safe location near the student within the classroom and will be accessible in the event of an emergency.
We understand that emergencies will occur. Parents may contact the school’s main office to speak with their child if the need arises. Additionally, when a student removes his/her cell phone from the pouch and the phone regains service it will receive all missed data including texts, emails, voicemails, notifications, and alerts. Students will have access to their cell phones during lunch, nutritional breaks, District sponsored activities, and while riding a school bus.
Students’ cell phones will be held in a pouch in a safe location near the student within the classroom and will be accessible in the event of an emergency.
The student may have to check in their personal cellular device with school administration.
Exceptions will be addressed on an individual basis considering health and specific needs of a student with disabilities. Students with specific health needs may require the cell phone to be in a non-blocking (bluetooth enabling) pouch near them to transmit a signal to medical devices. Examples include diabetic pumps and continuous glucose monitoring devices. Students with medical exemptions should have their cell phone on their person in the event of an emergency or evacuation. Parents should contact the school's health office for more information.
Students’ cell phones will be held in a pouch in a safe location near the student within the classroom and will be accessible in the event of an emergency.
The introduction of non-locking, signal-blocking pouches is not a punitive measure. The intent is to create a classroom environment in which students can learn free from distractions caused by the personal use of devices; to reduce the negative impacts for all students of inappropriate use of devices at school, such as cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content, and incidents involving mobile phones that detract from a healthy school climate; and to increase meaningful face-to-face connections between students.
If a non-locking, signal-blocking pouch is lost or stolen, the student may be responsible for the cost of a replacement pouch. School administration has the autonomy to waive fees/fines for lost or stolen pouches, if deemed appropriate.
All student personal cellular devices in Grades 6–12 will be kept in a non-locking, signal-blocking pouch during the school day beginning August 12, 2024. Elementary schools have the option to require non-locking, signal-blocking pouches if they believe it is appropriate for their campus.
Service will be temporarily interrupted, and will resume when the phone is removed from the non-locking signal-blocking pouch.
Service will be temporarily interrupted, and will resume when the phone is removed from the non-locking signal-blocking pouch.