Administrators have come together from around Poudre School District (PSD) to create a new cell phone policy, with the plan of implementing it in schools around the district for the ’25 to ’26 school year.
Parents, teachers and administrators have been witness to an increase in the number of discipline incidences, as well as increased suicide, anxiety and depression rates over the past couple of years, all linking back to one source: cell phones.
Cell phones at school have also meant less face-to-face interactions and student disengagement at school.
“It’s interesting because when you walk through the hallways, you see less students talking and more students scrolling,” said Dr. Sonja Gedde, Assistant Principal at Fossil.
Not only have cell phones become widely used in the hallways, but they have also become a substantial distraction in classrooms.
“I think it has impacted kids’ ability to focus in class, and I think their grades have reflected that,” said Nick Peardot, English teacher at Fossil.
The cell phone policy committee created by PSD will work to reduce distractions, ensure positive student mental health, and create a greater sense of community around the district.
Throughout Fossil, many teachers have varying classroom policies and expectations relating to cell phones.
Social Studies teacher Tom Kisla expressed, “I think if we have a consistent policy that the students know what to expect every class period, that’d be helpful.”
More benefits have the potential to arise throughout Fossil as well, such as increased attention, less disciplinary incidences, and increased connections and interactions in classrooms.
While many teachers and administrators are in favor of the policy, students have different opinions.
“I think it’s unnecessary… I think that ultimately, in the long run it will hurt connections throughout the school rather than help it,” said sophomore Sachit Srinivas.
The cell phone policy committee will use the student feedback form to take the wide variety of opinions into consideration as they continue to form the new policy.
