Future Vote by the Olathe School Board Could Change the Policy on Cellphone Use 📵

📚 The Olathe school board is considering a new policy in July that would prohibit the use of cellphones in classrooms, hallways, and during lunch. This is a significant shift from the current, more lenient policy, which allows phone use in the halls and lunchroom. 📱

Under the new proposal, the classroom rules would remain largely the same, permitting phone usage only at the teacher’s discretion. 🍎

Why the Change? 🤔

The proposed policy stems from recent discussions by the school board, focusing on increasing student engagement and addressing mental health concerns. 🧠 The idea has also been supported by Superintendent Brent Yeager’s teacher advisory committees, who are eager to see a new policy implemented swiftly. 🏃‍♂️

“I think, as we work on that … we’re really going to have to strike the right balance,” Yeager said in March. “We have some educators in our system who depend on it for different kinds of things. That’s a little bit different now that the board has empowered all students by having one-to-one devices, so there may be some options there.” 💻

Community Support is Key 🗝️

School board members first showed support for stricter phone restrictions back in February. However, they emphasized the importance of having parental backing before making any changes. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

“The community has to be supportive of that kind of initiative,” board member Claire Reagan said. “I’ve had parents say ‘What if I need my kid?’ My mom had a baby while my sister was a senior in high school. They called the office … the office brought a note and said ‘You have a baby sister, go to the hospital when school is dismissed.’” 🏥

How do you feel about the proposed changes to the cellphone policy in Olathe schools? 📵 Do you think it will positively impact student engagement and mental health, or do you have concerns about accessibility and communication? Share your thoughts and let us know! 💬👇

Written by the Dowell Family Team of ReeceNichols Real Estate