At the start of the 2025-26 school year, faculty at Schoolcraft High School administered a new policy regarding cell phone usage in classrooms. The new rule: “Bell to bell, no cell.” In other words, students are not allowed to use their cell phones for any reason during class.
The new policy has helped students be more engaged in class, said principal Matthew Dailey at a September school board meeting. “Screens are down, eyes are up, and minds are on.” The cell phone policy has been considered a success, encouraging students to go beyond being engaged in learning and connect with their classmates and teachers.
But what do Schoolcraft’s students think of the cell phone policy?
High school senior Riley Danner said, “I understand the want for [the cell phone policy], but I don’t agree with how strict it can be. It can help some kids who have issues paying attention [but] when the school was on lockdown, I had huge issues contacting friends and family.”
“It definitely had to be enforced, but some teachers are really strict about it,” said another senior. “I only use [my phone] for educational purposes.”
The new policy was put to the ultimate test when the school went into lockdown on September 4 following a report of a shooting on US-131. Without permission to use their cell phones to communicate, students had to rely on their teachers and school administrators to relay information.
Superintendent Nate Ledlow said, “Teachers showed up for kids, so they didn’t get to panic. We handled it really well, and we’re really, really, pleased with how we came out of it.” Faculty also praised the school’s new security system for working so well outside of school drills.
Relying on school faculty to relay information during emergencies may help limit misinformation, but does the inability to communicate directly with their children cause families more concern?
“While I can understand that it could be beneficial for some kids, I have never liked policies or punishments that are applied as a whole,” said a parent to asked to remain anonymous. “I am not against the kids not using their phones in class, but I’d prefer my kids had access to them if the need arose.”
At the September board meeting, Assistant Superintendent Matt Webster described the district’s goals for 2029-30 dealing with the cell phone policy: having an engaging learning environment and making school a place that students look forward to going. Webster related progress towards these goals to Schoolcraft’s new cell phone policy, explaining how staying off phones help students connect with their learning material and in person with their peers to form relationships that foster an enjoyable school setting.
The results of Schoolcraft’s new cell phone policy are similar to those at nearby Vicksburg High School.
“During class, students are required to place their phones in a school-issued RFID-blocking pouch, which must remain sealed until the end of class,” said Vicksburg Principal Adam Brush. “Teachers at Vicksburg High School have already noticed students are more engaged in class since the launch of the new cell phone policy.”
