PORTLAND Hours. (KPTV) – The Oregon Department of Education has advised schools to keep phones “off and away” in a Guidance for school cell phone policies released Wednesday.

It comes after a report by the National Education Association highlighted teachers’ concerns about the messy negative potential of electronic devices on learning and students. mental health and well-being.

Under Oregon law, school districts are required to establish policies for the use of personal cell phones and other electronic devices.

The Department of Education is now asking districts to review and update their policies.

The guide provides strategies for limiting cell phone use.

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For example, students can either leave their cell phones at home or check them in with front desk staff at the start of the school day.

Another method is classroom storage organized by the teacher, as the guidance policies detail, “Schools may set up designated storage areas in their classrooms, such as ‘caddies’, ‘mobile phone hotels’ or ‘phone lockers mobiles where students can store their phones. at the beginning of class.”

Camille Stephen attends a private school in downtown Portland that has adopted the caddy method, she said: “I’ve been doing it for 3 months now. It works great.”

“It seems to be working, to take a break from social media,” said Mark Stephen, Camille Stephen’s father.

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Portland schools, including Grant High School and Beaumont Middle, chose to block phones instead what is called the Yondr Pouch.

Students leave their phones in the secure device until the bell rings.

A 2023 survey from Common Sense Media was discovered that teens receive up to 237 or more notifications each day, 1/4 of which are received during school.

While some parents believe that no phones mean no distractions, many students want to be able to access their phones when it matters most.

Jason Mendez, a student at Beaverton High School, said he is allowed to have his phone on him in class, but it must stay in his backpack.

“I feel like we should have more emergency-only access,” Mendez said.

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