BEND, OR -- When students head back to Bend-La Pine Schools next week, they will again be expected to keep their phones out of sight during class. "This will be year three for the middle schools and year two of the high schools, in which we are saying, 'off and away'," says Superintendent Dr. Steve Cook, "Cell phones have no place as being active use in the classrooms. So we're going to continue with that."

Dr. Cook tells KBND News, "People might see and hear their students talk about caddies and places to put their phone while they're in class at the high school level. We're asking our middle school students, and have been for a couple of years, 'phones, if you have them in middle school, make sure those are off and away in backpacks, in lockers,' not anywhere to be a viable distraction for them."  He adds, "While we're not trying to eliminate cell phones and the use of technology in classrooms altogether, we are definitely trying to limit that access that might be away from the learning experience."

More research has emerged about the impact of screentime on students' learning, "It's been 10-12 years across - not just across the country, maybe worldwide, of which we're starting to get some data on the impacts of screentime with students and their learning, and the ability to focus and all of those things. But with technology ever-evolving, Dr. Cook says, the district is trying to strike a balance. Adjustments to the policy may come soon, given the popularity of smaller devices that have phone capabilities, like smartwatches, "So, we're even talking about wearable technology, and what does that look like, and what's responsible use look like? It's one thing to say just never bring them, never use them. It's another thing to grow adults and give them skills to function in society."

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