Des Moines school board set to vote on cell phone policy on April 15
Students in Des Moines Public Schools will soon know if they'll be allowed to have their cell phones during school during the next academic year.
The school board is set to vote on its April 15. Members briefly went over the policy during their meeting Tuesday night. School board chair Jackie Norris said she's excited the board is moving forward with the plans.
"The staff has done a great job working to fine-tune it a little bit more," she said.
The cell phone policy differs based on grades. In high school, cell phones won't be allowed during instructional time. In middle and elementary schools, students will have to put their phones away for the entire day.
"Part of what we're thinking about is how do you educate young people to understand when the right time to have your phone is and when the wrong time to have your phone out is," Norris said.
Superintendent Ian Roberts also praised the policy and said eliminating distractions will help students and teachers excel in the classroom.
"Thank you all for your continued support and push so that we can get to this place of excellence for students," Roberts said.
The policy will take effect in the fall. Building principals are required to have their policies in place by July 1.
"I really want to encourage families to start talking to their young people because this is a change," she said.
Norris said she's excited to be ahead of the curve as legislators continue to work towards passing a bill that would create a statewide cell phone policy.
»
» Download the free vlog app to get updates on the go: |