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Student leaders and principals report initial compliance with new phone rules on first day
Summary
Student board members and principals described institute-day training and first-day observations that the district's phone policy is being implemented, though some students raised questions about use during Compass and study hall.
Student board members told the Lockport Township High School District 205 board that they led institute-day discussions about phone rules and said many teachers and students framed the policy as a positive classroom-management step. Principals reported seeing limited phone use during the first day of classes and said students appeared to follow new expectations.
Student board member James Wyatt said institute-day presentations emphasized setting clear expectations early and framing the policy positively. "Framing it as a positive thing. Like, we're putting our phones away so that we can be more involved in classrooms," Wyatt said. He and other student members said teachers asked students to use phone pockets and defined where phones are and are not allowed.
Students and some staff expressed concerns about Compass and study hall, where many students view the time as personal time. "We saw a little resistance to study hall and Compass. Current board policy says that that's only allowed during the lunchroom," student board members reported. The students said they would investigate whether Compass should be treated differently going forward.
Superintendent Dr. McBride described Compass as intended for academic work rather than personal phone use, saying the district is signaling that lunch is the primary free time. A Central Campus principal reported, "I did not see, and I know this is crazy, students on their cell phones. I talked to kids... they said they felt so proud because in all their classes, they talked about cell phones. They started using the cell phone pockets." The principal said teachers and staff used maroon shirts to be visible helpers for students navigating new routines.
AFT representative Mrs. Kishline and other administrators praised custodial and maintenance staff for preparing facilities for the opening of school and said large inclement weather earlier in the weekend did not disrupt the welcome-back activities.
The district will continue to monitor compliance and student feedback; student board members recommended follow-up investigation on Compass and study-hall uses and possible refinements to the policy.
The board heard no formal policy change at this meeting; discussion focused on implementation and early results from the first days of the school year.
