Grant High School cracks down on cell phone use despite student frustration

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – A Portland high school is putting their foot down on cell phone use in the classroom, leaving many of its students frustrated.

Grant High School recently sent a letter to parents detailing a new policy for the campus. Every student will be required to secure their phone and smartwatch in a personally assigned pouch when they arrive at school. They will not be allowed to have access to it until the end of the day.

School leaders say they made the decision to restrict cell phones because their use has become a source of "distraction, disruption and disrespect" in the classroom. The letter sent to families shared the following:

While we believe that phones have great utility, we have found that learning and social behavior improve significantly when students are fully engaged with their teachers and classmates. This new Grant High School policy will require every student to secure their phone and smartwatch in a personally assigned lockable Yondr pouch upon arrival at school. At the end of their school day, students will have access to unlocking stations to open the pouches. Students are responsible for bringing their assigned Yondr pouch to and from school each day.

However, students don't feel this is the most effective plan

"I understand the principle and why it's happening, but I don't think this is the right way to achieve the goal,” freshman Ezra Falk said.

The rule will not go into effect until next year, and there will be exceptions to the policy based on specific medical needs. 

According to the National Center for Education, nearly 77% of U.S. schools ban cell phones.

Teachers say phone restrictions promote socialization, but some students at Grant High say they don’t use their phones in class anyway.

"I don't use my phone in class unless the teacher meeting,” freshman Ezana Wolday said. “We have to use it for an assignment or something."

In fact, freshman Yael Siegel said it could be a security issue.

"In an emergency, it'll be really hard to get everyone to be able to unlock their phones quickly enough and to be able to contact their parents,” Siegel said.