KAUKAUNA, Wis. (WFRV) – This upcoming school year, Kaukauna students face new rules of when and where they can use their phones.
The district superintendent told Local 5’s Ellie Davis that a survey released to teachers and parents revealed that phones in the classroom are an issue.
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“Phones in the classroom are a major distraction for students, even if it’s in their pocket, or a smart watch on the wrist, the buzzing was redirecting the students’ attention away from the learning,” Superintendent Mike Slowinski said.
It’s called the personal electronic policy, which limits phone use at a grade-based level. And district leaders tell me these new rules will keep students’ attention in the classroom.
“The policy carves out the instructional time as time for students to be present with their learning, present with their instructional time, present with each other. So we can make sure they achieve as much as possible,” Slowinski said.
Kari Moser, a parent of three, said her kids were shocked but that she’s happy about it.
“It’s good, now you guys will listen in class,” Kari Moser said.
Kaukauna High School senior Adalie Hungerford says that it will be easy to adjust if everyone follows the rule.
“If no one’s on their phone, then it’s not an issue,” Hungerford said. “Group chats won’t go off and you won’t get the text messages, so you won’t really be missing out on anything.”
Slowinski says changes before the school year are aimed at helping students.
“We felt like this was the time to start a school year with a policy that is much better than getting to the middle of the year instead of changing course,” Slowinski said.
This type of policy is becoming more common nationwide, and Hungerford said it will be beneficial as students get used to it.
“Once we get used to it, I think it’s going to benefit us,” Hungerford said.
