No phones in class: SLO County school district starts year with new policy

Thousands of South County students will go back to class on Thursday without a tool that many have deemed essential: their cell phones.

Lucia Mar Unified School District — which serves nearly 10,000 students across 11 elementary schools, three middle schools, three high schools and various other education programs — has implemented a new personal-tech-free policy across its campuses this school year.

The policy prohibits the use of personal electronics like cell phones and smart watches during class time.

At the elementary and middle school level, this means students will be required to put away their electronics from the time they arrive at school until they leave, according to a message sent to parents and guardians ahead of the first day of classes.

High school students will be allowed to use their electronics during breaks and lunch.

“This policy takes effect this year and is rooted in our dedication to fostering a conducive learning atmosphere where students can fully engage with their studies and interact meaningfully with their peers,” Superintendent Paul Fawcett said in the email.

The policy allows students to keep their electronics on them at all times, and not have to lock them away in bags or safes as some other school districts have begun to do.

Parents or guardians who need to reach their children during the school day were asked to call the school office.

In the email, Fawcett encouraged “open communication between parents, teachers and administrators” as the district launches this new policy.

“We understand that technology plays a significant role in today’s world, and we will continue to integrate it thoughtfully into our curriculum where appropriate,” Fawcett said. “However, we believe that limiting personal electronics during instructional hours will ultimately benefit our students academically and socially.”

CA governor calls on schools to enact smartphone restrictions

Lucia Mar is hardly the first school district to implement phone-free policies — in fact, one of its own schools has had such a policy for nearly five years.

Lopez Continuation High School in Arroyo Grande implemented a phone-free policy in 2019 .

Meanwhile, in Santa Barbara County, students at San Marcos, Dos Pueblos and Santa Barbara high schools this year will be required to put their cell phones in a “cell hotel” at the beginning of each class, according to a Noozhawk report .

California Gov. Gavin Newsom even recently penned a letter urging school districts to enact policies that would restrict cell phone use in schools.

“Leveraging the tools of this law, I urge every school district to act now to restrict smartphone use on campus as we begin the new academic year,” Newsom wrote. “The evidence is clear: reducing phone use in class leads to improved concentration, better academic outcomes and enhanced social interactions.”

In his letter, Newsom claimed schools that limited phone use during class reported higher test scores, grades and student engagement, as well as fewer instances of bullying and damage to school facilities.

He cited a June Pew Research Center survey that found 72% of high school and 33% of middle school teachers said cell phone distractions were a major problem in class.

“Every classroom should be a place of focus, learning and growth. Working together, educators, administrators and parents can create an environment where students are fully engaged in their education, free from the distractions on the phones and pressures of social media,” Newsom wrote.