During Tuesday night’s Lincoln School Board meeting Superintendent Dr. Paul Gausman outlined plans for a new electronic device policy for all students during the upcoming school year. LPS has been working with school administrators and staff over the last year to develop new rules on cellphones and personal electronic devices used during instructional time
“During my first year, I had many conversations with staff, students and families and gathered feedback about what needed to be addressed in my transition report,” Gausman says. “I heard loud and clear from all groups that student behavior needs to be addressed immediately. We cannot have effective instruction happening in our classrooms if we do not get student behaviors under control.”
Gausman says recent studies have shown that excessive cell phone and social media use are causing a “mental health crisis for our teenagers.” Both of the new rules being implemented this year will help maximize instructional time, increase communication and enhance safety. The personal electronic device plan includes cellphones, headphones, earbuds and smartwatches.
Gausman says for elementary schools the expectation remains that all students will keep their cellphone turned off and kept in their backpack during the school day. Middle school students must must powered off their devices and keep them out of sight at all times during the school day, including classrooms, hallways, restrooms and lunchrooms during lunch and passing periods.
High school students will be required to power off phones and keep them out of sight during class. Students can use their electronic devices before and after school, between periods and during lunch. Smartwatches can be worn, but not used for communication purposes.
Gausman says LPS will also be using a digital hall pass system at all high schools to try and maximize instructional time. Students will be trained on how to use the digital pass system with their Chromebooks during the first week of school. Each student will be allowed three student-initiated passes per day to allow students to go to the restroom, library, office, nurse, counselor or other classrooms.