During the 01 October Newport School Committee workshop, it became clear a change is wanted to the current cell phone policy to eliminate their use in school. Concerns about distractions, reduced social interactions, and bullying were expressed by the majority of participants. While these issues are significant, I question whether the proposed changes, particularly the use of Yondr bags, will truly enhance the learning environment. There is limited research to confirm that such measures lead to academic improvement. The potential for increased social interaction may benefit extroverted students, but introverts could feel further isolated. While cyberbullying might decrease, there’s no evidence, that I have been made aware of, that it’s a major problem in our schools, and face-to-face bullying could increase as a result.
The bigger question is why the school committee is prepared, if they approve the change, to spend around $38,000 to enforce a policy requiring Thompson and Rogers students to lock their devices in Yondr bags. This was the only option discussed. Current policies at both schools are already clear, yet many feel they aren’t working. This suggests not a policy failure but a lack of enforcement. The Yondr bags offer a convenient solution because they make it easier for teachers and staff to control phone use, as students won’t have access to their devices during the school day. For parents, it provides some peace of mind knowing their children will be off their phones during school hours but still electronically reachable as soon as they are dismissed.
However, this “easy button” approach comes with a cost. Financially, $38,000 is a significant expense, especially when considering the budget shortfall in the Rogers High construction project and the impact the pandemic had on learning. Wouldn’t this money be better spent on academic support programs or other resources cut from the current school and construction budgets? Unfortunately, the focus seems to be on convenience rather than addressing the real issue: enforcing the existing policy.
By choosing the easy solution, we are sending the wrong message to students. Instead of teaching them accountability, we are creating stricter policies simply because we cannot or will not enforce the ones already in place. This undermines the example we should set for our students about responsibility and personal discipline. I suppose the Real-World Responsibility attribute in the Pilar of a Graduate exempt’s responsible cell phone usage. Or perhaps it will enhance the Ownership and Persistence Pilar by students: “Approach(ing) challenges with a positive and proactive attitude, finding opportunities and resources that will support their efforts to innovatively problem solve.” to defeat the Yondr Bag. Only time will tell.
Sincerely,
Sean Higgins
Rogers High Student Parent
