CCSD unveils new cell phone policy for new school year

The Clarke County School District announces a new cell phone policy for the school year that begins next month: the central office on Prince Avenue says middle and high school students in Athens will place their phones in pouches at the beginning of each class period and retrieve them when the classes are over. Clarke County School Superintendent Robbie Hooker says he heard from parents in a recent series of town hall meetings that phones in classrooms were a major distraction for students and teachers.

From the CCSD website…

Shortly after Dr. Robbie Hooker began his tenure as the Clarke County School District’s Superintendent last fall, he held a series of town hall meetings around the community to communicate his vision for CCSD and hear concerns from families, students, staff, and community members.

A recurring concern from parents and staff was the use of cell phones in middle and high school classrooms, which was cited as a significant distraction from active and continued engagement in classroom instruction. As a result, starting this school year, middle and high school students will be required to place their cell phones in pouches by the door of each classroom at the start of each class period and will be allowed to retrieve them at the end of each period.

Pouches for every classroom have been purchased by the district and will be in place for the first day of school for the new procedure to go into effect immediately. Teachers and staff will be expected to discuss the new procedure with students on the first day. Parents/guardians should direct questions to school principals.

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