the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ramsey NJ, starting January 8, the Ramsey School District in Bergen County will lead the way in creating a distraction-free learning environment by adopting a comprehensive cellphone lockup system for all students. This groundbreaking initiative is designed to reduce distractions, curb anxiety, and improve academic performance by limiting cellphone use during school hours.
How the Cellphone Lockup System Works
The Ramsey School District’s new policy introduces a graduated system for cellphone storage based on grade levels:
- Kindergarten to 5th Grade: Students must store their phones in their backpacks.
- 6th to 8th Grade: Devices must be kept in lockers throughout the school day.
- High School: Students will use secure pouches provided by Yondr, which lock their phones during school hours.
High school students will carry their locked pouches with them and can only unlock them at designated stations in the cafeteria during lunch or at exits when leaving the building. External unlocking stations will be available for students who forget to unlock their pouches before exiting.
Implementation Timeline
The new cellphone policy will roll out according to the following schedule:
- Jan. 2: Virtual parent meeting at 7 p.m.
- Jan. 2-3: High school student orientation.
- Jan. 6: High school pouch assignment.
- Jan. 7: Pouch check.
- Jan. 8: First full day of implementation.
Parents will have the opportunity to ask questions during the virtual meeting to ensure they are fully informed about the new system.
Addressing Parent Concerns
Some parents have expressed concerns about reaching their children during emergencies. Ramsey Police Chief Brian Lyman addressed these concerns, emphasizing that cellphone use during crises can hinder emergency response efforts. He explained that high call volumes could tie up phone lines, students may become distracted, and ringing phones could inadvertently reveal their locations.
“Students using cellphones during an incident impede our ability to dispel information, locate and address threats, and ultimately coordinate reunification efforts,” said Chief Lyman.
Parents who need to contact their children during the school day are encouraged to call the school’s main office.
The Case for Cellphone Restrictions
The decision to implement the cellphone lockup system is supported by research, including findings from Jonathan Haidt’s book, The Anxious Generation. The Yondr presentation highlights several negative effects of excessive cellphone use among adolescents:
- Increased anxiety and decreased academic performance.
- Lowered ability to interact face-to-face with peers.
- Disruptive behavior and bullying.
Additionally, studies show that teenagers spend an average of five hours a day on social media, receiving up to 237 notifications daily. Yondr estimates that implementing cellphone restrictions can reduce behavior referrals by 44% and bullying incidents by 35%.
A Growing Movement in Schools
Ramsey is not alone in addressing the challenges posed by cellphone use in schools. Other districts taking similar measures include:
- Los Angeles Unified School District: The nation’s second-largest school district will implement a districtwide cellphone ban on February 18.
- New Jersey’s Plainfield Middle School: Adopted the Yondr system in 2019.
- Prospect Park, Passaic County: Announced in September that middle school students must store phones in classroom holders.
What’s Next for Ramsey?
The Ramsey School District is setting a precedent in Bergen County by prioritizing student well-being and academic focus. Details about the new system, including a 52-page PowerPoint presentation and informational video from Yondr, are available on the district’s website at ramsey.k12.nj.
As more schools consider similar measures, Ramsey’s initiative could serve as a model for reducing distractions and creating a healthier, more focused learning environment for students.
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Does the plan include Apple Watches and their android equivalents?
What about the students who use their phone with medical devices
How the frick are my kids going to shop on Amazon and Shein in the middle of class now?
Since they’re on their phones in class rather than listening to their teachers, we should just send them home. They don’t care about learning. Close the schools and reimburse me my tax dollars wasted for public schooling. The kids can then live with mommy and daddy who will continue to take care of them into their adulthood. They won’t have to work, pay rent or use their brains. There you have it – the dumbing down of America. Sarcasm……
Perfect.
good idea