Last school year, Howard L. Goff Middle School began enforcing the district’s existing cell phone policy, which states that cell phones and other personal electronic devices are not permitted during the instructional school day. The reason was that cell phones at the middle school had become distractions in class, contributed to bullying and mental health issues, and disrupted social interaction among students.
The change led to a renewed focus on academics with more engaged students, fewer conflicts between students, and improved social interaction during class, transitions in the hallway and lunch periods.
On today’s episode of Let’s Learn Together, Superintendent Jeff Simons has a conversation about cell phones in schools with Goff Middle School Interim Principal Jim McHugh, Goff School Counselor Jaclyn Gleason and Nichole Krisanda, a parent of a Goff student and a Columbia student. They discuss the cell phone policy, why it was implemented at Goff and the positive impact from removing phones from the school day. They also talk about the potential for future discussions of cell phones at the high school.
Also, Columbia students tell us what they are looking forward to in the upcoming school year, our staff profile features Senior Bus Driver Carianne Rudolph, and Questar Early Childhood Principal Mike Burns provides some tips to our parents and caregivers of incoming pre-k students.
(1:55) – A New School Year
(3:04) – Cell Phones in Schools
(30:35) – Students Share What They Are Looking Forward to This School Year
(31:24) – Staff Profile of Senior Bus Driver Carianne Rudolph
(33:58) – Welcome to Pre-K Families (with tips for a smooth start!)
(38:55) – Upcoming Events
Let’s Learn Together is available on Apple, Spotify, YouTube and other apps.
- Listen to Cell Phones in Schools Episode (August 27, 2024)
- Subscribe to Let’s Learn Together