The Scottsdale Unified School District has adopted new plans for handling cellphones in schools.
Students in pre-K through 8th grade will not be able to use their phones as soon as they set foot on campus.
The policy is called “Away for the Day.” While students are in school, they will have to keep their phones off and put away in backpacks. The same goes for smartwatches.
The policy does not apply to high schools.
In recent years, school officials have been testing the policy in places like Ingleside Middle School.
Junior Michael is the principal there and says phones have led to multiple disruptions, including some that led to interactions with law enforcement.
“I think it would be negligent for us as professionals during the school hours not to take measures that ensure the safety of our students," he said.
Michael says phones too often lead to distraction.
“It really takes away from, I think, a common goal of every single person that has either a student in school or has interest in what happens in schools, and that is for our students to come to school and enjoy the entire process," Michael said.
Parents can reach their kids by contacting the school and leaving messages.
