SVVSD and Niwot High School cell phone policies

Use of cell phones in schools is a big topic across the nation. The St. Vrain Valley School District manages the issue by giving each of its schools autonomy in cell phone regulation.As a member of the SVVSD, Niwot High School has recently developed a school-wide expectation.

Cell phone policies vary significantly among teachers, classrooms, schools, and school districts.

For example, Boulder Valley School District announced a complete cell phone ban during school hours for all students last year, whereas SVVSD has taken a different approach.

District Chief Communications and Global Impact Officer Kerri McDermid said, "We support teachers in implementing the classroom management practices that they feel will be most conducive to learning."

In 2024, SVVSD updated its guidance by clarifying that schools were expected to ensure consistent regulations in every classroom, because many students experienced differing policies from teacher to teacher.

In conjunction with the SVVSD's policy, Niwot High School staff elected to create new expectations for the 2024-2025 school year.

Current guidance states that students are not to use cell phones during their classes.

Teachers have adopted different strategies for implementation. Many educators require students to place their silenced phones inside their backpacks, and others use a communal "phone cubby."

Outside of the classroom environment, NHS does not regulate cell phone use. Administrators believe phone freedom during lunch and passing periods builds accountability.

NHS leaders cite numerous factors that inspired current expectations. Support of self-regulation is a priority. Principal Eric Rauschkolb said, "We're not saying 'yes' to everything, but we're not saying 'no' to everything...It's helping our students to start to self-regulate in a way that will help them to be successful after they leave high school."

Rauschkolb said that when cell phone use was common in classrooms, "It was nobody's intention, but students' use of their cell phones was preventing them from getting the best education they could."

Many learners corroborate his perspective. "[Phones] are too much of a distraction for students," freshman Kamryn Hardy said. "Especially when they don't particularly enjoy the class they're in, they reach for their phone often."

"I've had numerous teachers tell me that they just felt like they were playing whack-a-mole," Rauschkolb shared. Under prior expectations, cell phones adversely impaired educator success.

As phone addiction and the prevalence of social media climb, NHS staff want to build a mentally healthy school environment.

NHS counselor Leah Messinger said that connection "is not as real technology-wise versus in-person, so if kids are on their phones, they are being distracted and not getting to know the person next to them."

Becky Myers, an NHS English teacher, was one of the first staff to use a cell phone cubby. She expressed the difference she has since observed, saying that during students' breaks, "they're doing something that's not just mindlessly scrolling on their phones," and that she has "seen kids connect more and talk more."

Administrators believe that the recently implemented expectations foster balance. Positive feedback from parents and varying student responses raise questions about what guidelines are most rewarding for learners.

NHS parents' responses have been largely supportive. Parents and guardians are often concerned about their student's relationship with their phone, and appreciate the new regulations.

Some students opposed to the expectations argue that restrictions on phone use prevent student readiness for future independence. Senior Mahuiztli Martinez remarked, "In the situation that a kid is abusing their cell phone, that is a decision that they're making....I think that you need to learn consequences for your actions in high school because you're preparing for the real world."

At the same time, many students at NHS support the guidelines. These students believe that current expectations allow them to distance themselves from their devices and access learning enrichment.

"I personally like the phone expectations at Niwot," freshman Bodhi Beaver said. "They are very fair and are targeted to help students pay better attention."

NHS is one of countless schools across America that are working to best manage cell phone usage. Although Boulder Valley School District has banned cell phones during school hours, SVVSD plans to proceed on a different path.

"My understanding is that our school district as a whole will not be moving in the direction of banning cell phones," Rauschkolb said.