WPHS restricts cell phone use to improve academic performance

Natasha Richey, assistant principal at West Point High School, says there is a designated area for cell phones in classrooms to reduce potential distractions for students.

WEST POINT, Mississippi (WCBI) – For many, cell phones are important in various aspects of daily life, but they can also be a distraction.

In California, Governor Gavin Newsom is urging schools to limit students’ cell phone use.

The idea has found supporters throughout the country.

Governor Newsom argues that reducing cell phone use in schools improves concentration, academic performance and social skills.

Since the early 2000s, mobile phones have become part of our daily lives.

While they can be a helpful tool, they can also have a negative impact on academic performance.

Natasha Richey, assistant principal at West Point High School, says there is a designated area for cell phones in classrooms to reduce potential distractions for students.

“At the beginning of each lesson, we ask our teachers to collect these cell phones. They put them in a holder that is numbered for each student. At the end of the lesson, these cell phones are returned to the students.”

Richey says they started with the cell phone cases last year and the results have been positive.

Disciplinary problems have decreased and grades have increased.

“Our students have actually become very accustomed to it. It’s a norm now. Most teachers don’t have to ask students to put their phones away, they just put them in the phone holder.”

Teachers have found that putting away the pictures helps students focus better on learning and makes lessons more productive.

US history teacher Perry Price was able to witness the improvements in her classroom first hand.

“Students are a lot less distracted, first of all. Their phone beeps or rings every 10 seconds. Without that vibration in their pocket, without that distraction, they’re more focused on what we’re doing in class, they’re more engaged, their grades have improved significantly, their test scores have improved significantly, classroom management is much better because you don’t have to say, ‘Put your phone down, put your phone down.'”

And open communication with parents is an important factor in this measure.

“We know that these phones can be a distraction, just like using social media and other things. However, our parents support us in creating a learning environment for our students.”

Richey says meeting with parents and informing them has helped them ensure student safety as well.

Richey says students are sometimes allowed to use their phones for research.

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