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Oregon School Cell Phone Ban: 'Engaged students, joyful teachers' (Portland Tribune, 3/18) [View all]
https://portlandtribune.com/2026/03/18/oregon-school-cell-phone-ban-engaged-students-joyful-teachers/-snip-
In the classrooms, she was able to take a straw poll around the cell phone ban and then get specific, direct feedback from the kids.
Overall, it was positive. The Rangers said they noticed changes in how they interact with teachers and peers. They don’t feel that “siren’s song” tug of their phones as often, and the changes are bleeding into everyday life as well — think less reminders to put phones away during family dinners. Phones also led to issues around bullying and online toxicity during the school day.
There are some hiccups. The students spoke about difficulties in tracking busy schedules. Many athletes relied on their phones for practice times and locations. Some advanced placement kids said the overzealous programs monitoring school laptops blocked access to needed resources for studying/researching schoolwork. There is even a strange quirk with school-provided tech that prevents them from accessing their calculators.
-snip-
In crafting its policy, Estacada incorporated feedback from parents. That led to some key decisions around the cell phone ban. Rather than use pouches or lockers, students are allowed to keep their phones safely stored in their backpacks. That was for two reasons — it allows students to contact loved ones during emergencies, and many parents use phone trackers to keep tabs on their kids.
-snip-
In the classrooms, she was able to take a straw poll around the cell phone ban and then get specific, direct feedback from the kids.
Overall, it was positive. The Rangers said they noticed changes in how they interact with teachers and peers. They don’t feel that “siren’s song” tug of their phones as often, and the changes are bleeding into everyday life as well — think less reminders to put phones away during family dinners. Phones also led to issues around bullying and online toxicity during the school day.
There are some hiccups. The students spoke about difficulties in tracking busy schedules. Many athletes relied on their phones for practice times and locations. Some advanced placement kids said the overzealous programs monitoring school laptops blocked access to needed resources for studying/researching schoolwork. There is even a strange quirk with school-provided tech that prevents them from accessing their calculators.
-snip-
In crafting its policy, Estacada incorporated feedback from parents. That led to some key decisions around the cell phone ban. Rather than use pouches or lockers, students are allowed to keep their phones safely stored in their backpacks. That was for two reasons — it allows students to contact loved ones during emergencies, and many parents use phone trackers to keep tabs on their kids.
-snip-
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