Cell Phone Policy

Governor Cox has asked each school il the state of Utah to implement policies to remove cell phones from classrooms. The body of evidence linking cell phone use among teenagers with increased anxiety, lower grades, and other social and psychological harms has become increasingly irrefutable, and evidence linking cell phone use to increased student outcomes has failed to manifest. We have developed this policy after reviewing literature from key researchers, in particular Dr. Jonathan Haidt, who stated in his 2024 book the Anxious Generation that "[a cell phone ban only during class time] is an ineffective policy because it incentivizes students to hide their phone use during class and increase their phone use after class, which makes it harder for them to form friendships with the kids around them", (p.265). The observations of our staff align with the research: our current ban on cell phones during class time has resulted in numerous violations of the policy and an ongoing game of "cat and mouse" between staff and students in an attempt to minimize cell phone use during instructional time. This policy is meant to help our students thrive in school by removing the temptation of cell phone use.

Cache High is a phone-free school. Student personal Electronic Devices (PEDs), including cellular telephones, smart watches, and other devices that can communicate through voice, text, social media, or other means, may not be used during instructional time. Any PEDs brought to school must be secured in a locker and may only be retrieved at lunch or at the end of the school day.

Each student that elects to bring PEDs into the school must store them in lockers provided by the school prior to the start of their first period on campus. Each classroom has a cel1 phone locker with a single key maintained by the teacher. Once phones are stored in the locker, the teacher will secure the locker until lunchtime or the end of the school day.

Every staff member at cache High is required to confiscate any PEDs observed on a student, use a non-damaging means (such as a sticky note) to label them with the student's name, and turn them into the main office. The main office will conduct the following actions:

First offense: The parent or guardian of the student will be called and informed that their student was using a PED during school. The PED will be returned directly to the student at the end of the school day.

Second Offense: The parent or guardian of the student will be called and informed that their student was using a PED during school. The PED will be secured in a locker in the main office until the parent or guardian picks it up.

Third Offense: The parent or guardian of the student will be called and informed that their student was using a PED during school. The PED will be secured in a locker in the main office until the parent or guardian picks it up. A written plan will be developed by the parent or guardian, student, and administrator to address further PED use in school.

Subsequent Offenses: Will be handled in accordance with the plan created by the parent or guardian, student, and administrator. Consequences may include removal from Cache High

Parents and guardians are encouraged to minimize contact with students during the school day. If it is necessary for a parent or guardian to contact their student during school hours, they may call the main office at (435) 755-0716 or text Principal Hansen at (435) 994-0651.

This policy will be reviewed as needed and may be revised at the discretion of the administration. Ali revisions will be immediately communicated to all students and their parents/guardian through established means.

The point of contact for this policy is Principal Sheri Hansen at sheri.hansen@ccsdut.org.

By signing below, each party agrees to the above provisions and acknowledges that PEDs are only allowed at Cache High School before school, after school, or during lunch. Each party acknowledges that the school provides lockers as a convenience to students, and that the school will not be held liable for theft or loss of a PED unless caused by foreseeable negligence by the school.