Cellphone use, especially for “the younger generation,” is as pervasive as breathing. Cellphones have often become an extension of the person.

When a moratorium on cellphone use is imposed, it can seem unbearable.

Because of restrictions on cellphone use, this school year may be particularly untenable.

Now that all Sequoyah County schools are in session, students are undoubtedly aware of school policies regarding cellphone use. Some may have already found out the hard way what happens when the policies are violated.

While school policies for area schools are very similar, there are some variations, depending on the school.

Responses from some school administrators, along with online review of all area school websites, indicate a united front in eliminating distractions.

Almost without exception, cellphones are not to be used during classroom instruction time. Not for calls, texts, social media, reading, taking pictures, streaming videos, as a calculator, checking the time, listening to music, checking grades or any other purpose.

In short, cellphones cannot be used at all.

Period. Beyond that, whether students can use their cellphones between classes or at lunch depends on the school.

So if you attend school at Brushy, Gore, Moffett or Vian, the prohibition against cellphone use is absolute. When students arrive at school, cellphones are to be turned off, stored away and remain off until school is dismissed for the day.

On the other hand, students at Central, Gans, Muldrow, Roland, Sallisaw and Webbers Falls are allowed to use their cellphones before school, during passing periods and lunch period, and after school. While the general rule when the cellphone is turned off is that it should be stored out of sight, Gans allows students to place their cellphone on their desk “face down and on silent.”

In addition, when cellphones are in use, earbuds are generally recommended over headphones, and Muldrow stipulates that use of only one earbud is allowed so that students can hear what else is going on around them. Muldrow further bans picture taking or videoing of others without their permission.

If there is a medical need to use a cellphone, many of the schools allow it with prior approval under a 504 or health plan. For illness or personal reasons in which contact with a parent is needed, students are expected to go to the office to use the phone.

Generally speaking, in the event of a school emergency, students will have full cellphone privileges to contact parents and receive messages or calls via their cellphone.

Most schools specify that they are not responsible for any lost or stolen cellphone or other devices if the item is left in a classroom, unlocked locker or other accessible space during the school day.

Consequences

When it comes to punishment for violating school policies on cellphone use, consequences vary from a verbal warning to longterm in-school suspension of up to 45 days, depending on the school.

In almost all cases, a first violation of the policy will result in the cellphone being confiscated, with the student being allowed to retrieve their phone at the end of the day.

While students should verify disciplinary measures for their particular school, following is a summary of what to expect.

First offense:

• Cellphone is confiscated, with the student allowed to retrieve at the end of the day

• Central requires a parent to pick up the confiscated cellphone

• Moffett requires a parent to pick up the cellphone, but the school may confiscate the cellphone for up to seven days, impose suspension or other punishment

• Gore adds a lunch detention

• Roland Upper Elementary students, parent picks up the cellphone • Vian adds three lunch detentions

• Webbers Falls issues a verbal warning and asked for the phone to be put away Second offense:

• Central adds two days of in-school suspension • Gore and Sallisaw add three lunch detentions • Vian adds three after- school detentions

• Webbers Falls refers the matter to the principal, and parents will be notified Third offense:

• Central adds five days of in-school suspension • Gore imposes a three-day suspension, and a parent must pick up the phone

• Sallisaw issues five days of detention or inschool suspension, and parents must attend a parent conference

• Vian imposes three days of in-school detention • Webbers Falls suspends privilege to carry a phone, and parents will be notified Fourth offense:

• Central imposes long-term in-school suspension (up to 45 days)

• Gore issues a suspension of five or more days, and a parent must pick up the phone

• Sallisaw imposes inschool or out-of-school suspension, and a parent must pick up the phone

• Vian issues a suspension of at least three days, and a parent must pick up the phone Why a policy?

With the implementation of the new policy, area schools are united in their commitment to provide the best possible, distraction-free learning environment for students.

“Everything at Gore Schools is centered around providing the best possible education for all students in a safe, secure, nurturing, community- centered environment,” according to a school Facebook post, which reflects the sentiment of all area schools. “At Gore Public Schools, we still strive to do what’s best for kids — not just academically, but mentally and socially as well.”

New high school/upper elementary principal Amanda Andrews has dealt with cellphone policies at other schools, and knows the benefit of ensuring a student’s undistracted attention.

“This is a somewhat controversial policy, but there’s a reason why so many schools are jumping onboard with it — they see the need. I’ve experienced both — no cellphones vs. cellphones allowed — so my opinion on this topic is grounded in my experience with both. I knew this was one of the very first changes I wanted to implement coming in as the new principal,” Andrews says. “I feel very strongly that allowing cellphones in classrooms is not fair to you as teachers,” she says in her message to teachers. “Your job is to teach — not compete with cellphones for students’ attention or police questionable content.

“I’m already bracing for the impact this will have on our students and parents, but I’m fully prepared to explain the value behind the changes. Now, more than ever, our students need to learn the things that aren’t necessarily taught inside a classroom — things like time management and communication skills,” Andrews says.

“My hope is that we make positive strides not just with our students’ education, but also with their mental health. This updated policy allows kids to just be kids. For 7½ hours, our students don’t have to worry about what picture is being posted of them, what rumor is being spread, what party they weren’t invited to, etc. The number of teens in America that are selfadmittingly addicted to their cellphones is staggering. Countless research shows how excessive cellphone use is linked with impaired cognitive functions and mental health problems in teens. If parents aren’t becoming concerned, they should be.

“The possible benefits of cellphones in classrooms don’t outweigh the risks,” Andrews says. “Sometimes a positive change doesn’t feel positive in the beginning, but with unity and consistency as a team, we will see much happier and more successful students.”