District 202 implemented an updated student electronic device policy for the 2023-2024 school year in an effort to curb the overuse of electronics during instructional times.

This policy applies to every school in the district to make electronic use consistent.

Electronics “may only be used during non-instructional time such as lunch time and passing periods” with a couple of exceptions that may require special permission from staff.

Superintendent Dr. Glen Wood’s August Community Column on the district website addressed the need for the new policy. 

“A focus for District 202 this year is to minimize the disruption to the learning environment,” Wood shared.  “We are implementing our recently updated policies that limit cell phone access to students during the school day to support learning, improve relationships, and focus.”

Per the policy, electronic devices are defined as “cell phones, tablets, or any wearable technology.”

“I feel like not being able to go on phones helps people focus during class, and I feel like it will be effective in the long run,” junior Charlotte Solka said.

Students who disregard the policy are subject to “re-direction” through the dean’s office. This includes a “restorative plan” on the fourth redirection.

“For a two week period, students will then be allowed to connect with each of their teachers and their dean and come up with a consistent plan for a two week trial period,” Assistant Principal Darnell Weathersby said. “If you make it through the two weeks without any further reminders, then that’s where you’re at.”

The policy also  provides guidelines showing what else is prohibited such as calling/facetiming, creating/spreading explicit content, posing as a staff member on social media, recording fights and recording staff without permission.

It explains that students choosing to violate these rules may face consequences and may have devices confiscated.

Per the policy, “Any person engaging in such behavior may be punished under this Code of Conduct and/or District 202 Student Handbook and may be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agencies.”

“I feel like the consequences involved in the policy are too severe,” junior Hailey Lakomiak said. “Yes, I’d agree that there is a certain amount of respect expected from students to their teachers, and a lack of that respect is deserving of a consequence, but is it morally right to give students only three warnings before punishment?”

Though North has had a cell phone policy for years, teachers had their own ways of handling technology in the classroom based on standards and expectations.

“I only have one teacher who actually uses the phone pouch case-thing, but most of my teachers do their best to make it clear when we can and cannot have our phones out,” senior Georgia Chlebek said.

North administration notified parents and staff of the new policy via email in early August.

“As a parent, I wholeheartedly agree with the phone policy,” sophomore Alaina Gall’s mother, Angela Gall said. “Students need a break from their phone addiction. Releasing themselves from technology during class time will free their minds to think, create and achieve.”

In addition to the email notification, students were also informed of the new policy during the opening days of school by classroom teachers as well as during a dean’s meeting.

“All of my teachers went over the policy on the first few days of school,” Solka said. “I think they went over it pretty well, and there have been no issues yet.”

Economics and sociology teacher David Krause expressed optimism about the changes and how they’ve been received by his students.

“Really nothing has changed drastically,” Krause said. “It’s always been the expectation that students shouldn’t be on their phones during classroom instruction time, [and] it  has not changed my outlook other than watching students actually handle the change well and show me nothing but respect towards the policy change.”

Some North students have been vocal about disagreeing with the policy changes and feel the new rules are unnecessary.

Sophomore Ava Messina believes that the policy makes classes more difficult.

“I don’t like the new phone policy, because it is kind of annoying,” Messina said. “We can’t use our phone when we are done with our work, but it depends on the teacher. I also personally cannot work in silence, so I like to listen to music, but with the new phone restriction, I am unable to.”

Other students believe that too many students have let their personal devices take away from their school experience. 

Senior Brendan Orsi feels this policy is understandable and may help certain students.

“It doesn’t really affect me because I’m busy most of the time now, but last year it probably would’ve been a good thing, because I got distracted really easily,” Orsi said.