As the new school year came around, the students got ready with their phones in hand, texting their friends what classes they had. But the moment the student entered the school, one of the staff members asked them to hand over the phone immediately.
In the last few years, MCHS has had some issues with the phone policy; because of this, MCHS is planning on making some new changes. Next year, at the Freshman Campus, a new rule will require students to keep all phones in their locker and not bring them to class.
“We believe this change will be better for students,” says Sean Sterner, Freshman Campus principal, who is spearheading the plan. “It may be less convenient, but it will support focus, growth, and learning.”
According to K-12 Dive, a total of 97% of teens use their phones while on school grounds.
Additionally, Common Sense Media says the amount of in-school screen time ranged from less than a minute to six and a half hours per day, with a median time of around 43 minutes.z
Additionally, Common Sense Media says the amount of in-school screen time ranged from less than a minute to six and a half hours per day, with a median time of around 43 minutes.
Because of this, many teachers and administrators state that over time, phones have gradually become a bigger issue for the majority of the grade levels.
”I think phones are extremely crucial in the classroom,” English teacher at MCHS, John Aubert says, “but I think that they are used more as a distraction than a tool. The same goes with the Chromebooks.”
“If I’m being honest with you, students, most of the time … do not have the self-discipline to use them as tools rather than distractions,” he adds, “I think they are detrimental to our learning, and I think they increase laziness or dependency on distractions to get through something that is most likely simpler than they appear.”
Aubert’s concerns are echoed by educators all over the state. Because of this Illinois is considering a “bell-to-bell” policy schedule that resembles next year’s Freshman Campus policy. This policy is being enabled during the 2026-27 or 2027-28 school years.
“Parents and school officials believe cell phones are a distraction,” according to Illinois policy. Research shows that over 95% of teenagers have access to phones, and 46% say they are online ‘almost constantly.’ Heavy cell phone and social media use has been tied to rising levels of anxiety and depression in students.”
Based on other states with mandatory state requirements with phone restrictions, they’ve noticed many have had fewer behavioral issues. And other issues have become less of an issue, such as bullying, improved classroom engagement, and more.
“I’m not sure about next year. I’m not involved in those conversations, but I do know that the state legislature is moving towards having a mandatory bell-to-bell whistle in elementary schools and middle schools.” Aubert says, “This is represented by JB Pritzker. I believe it is called the Senate Bill 2427, which prohibits the use of cell phones by students in classrooms. It would go for the 2728 school year. Some high schools would have exceptions, though, due to other laws with IEPs and five oh, fours, okay, that’s that thing.”
Although the phone policy is currently unclear, either the state of Illinois or the school will implement a mandatory phone policy to improve the students’ environment in a classroom. And to improve students’ anxiety levels, decrease the chances of cyberbullying, as well as making it safer for students.
The Upper Campus is currently holding off on making any changes to the phone policy due to the state potentially making mandatory changes.
“Right now, we’re kind of waiting,” Upper Campus principal Gregory Eiserman, says. “The state has been working on a sort of mandate that they’re working on a bill that would make certain things mandatory, or not mandatory, based on elementary, middle school and high school. So we’re waiting to see what that final bill is, which would help dictate what we do. There was an original talk that it may be like a bell to bell, where they have to be off and away.”
As the school day ended when the final bell rang, students were getting their phones back. Although the day was a bit more boring than usual, at least students could still pass notes.