This year, Roosevelt High School introduced a new phone policy. There were rumors of changes to the phone policy since the end of last school year but it was unclear what the final plan was going to be. Other high schools such as Grant in northeast Portland, have resorted to Yondr Pouches that lock phones away during the day. Other schools have no phone policy at all. With the rise of these policies PPS has faced support as well as backlash. Here’s how the enforcement of these policies in our schools is going so far.
Roosevelt formally announced the new phone plan in August in preparation of the upcoming school year. Slides were presented in classes the first few days of school to emphasize the importance of the new policy and introduce it in the classrooms.
The formal policy is stated as: “At Roosevelt High School our classes are Phone-Free Zones. Cell phones/electronic devices (including earbuds and headphones) must be off and away, and out of sight during classtime. We want all students be engaged and excited about their learning! We believe that cell phones affect our school’s climate and the learning process in our classrooms. They can be a source of disruption, distraction, and disrespect.” The policy has emphasis on the effects devices have on student mental health and learning.
This being said, the district’s policy committee is continuing to refine a draft for a district-wide policy limiting student phone use in schools as early as the start of 2025. Like many of the policies currently in place at PPS high schools and middle schools, it would require phones to be turned off, prohibit photos and videos, and allow school staff to confiscate phones if they are being used at school, during school hours. If a phone is confiscated a designated parent, guardian or caregiver would be required to pick up the phone.
Many opinions quickly formed surrounding this change. Students and families are unhappy with the decision while others believe it is working well. “People are still on their phones, it’s still normalized but I have noticed phone use and the amount of people on their phones decrease significantly” – Roosevelt Senior
“My biggest concern is phones not being accessible. After last year’s drive-by shooting and previous incidents I want to be able to reach my child in the case of an emergency.” – Roosevelt Student Parent
Many people can’t help but wonder what this policy will look like in the future and if it will continue to be reinforced throughout the year. Many teachers are following the policy, but in some classrooms the rules are lightened. “At least in my classes, there’s not much reinforcement. People are still on their phones.” – Roosevelt Junior
There is an ongoing conversation about the key takeaway and importance of the policy. PPS sent out a survey September 20th to collect students’ input. It is expected that results will be shared with the board policy committee October 15th to review and reassess as the district wide policy is forming.
