High school student rep: phone ban largely followed; homecoming events set for Oct. 14–17

The Laconia High School student representative reported Oct. 7 that the school-day phone ban implemented this school year appears to be working and that observed violations are limited.

The student said phones seen in the office were a small number and that, in classes the student attends, the ban has not disrupted instruction. The representative noted some classroom activities that previously used phones (song-lyric lookups, portfolio photos) have been adapted: teachers used class digital cameras or alternate resources and math classes continue to rely on school‑provided graphing calculators and Desmos on district devices.

The representative also reviewed homecoming activities scheduled for Oct. 14–17: theme days each school day, a parade leaving the high school at 4:30 p.m., a varsity football game Friday at 7 p.m. and multiple weekend sporting events. The student described a fundraiser where students purchase $1 beads to play rock-paper-scissors in passing periods and during lunch; winners collect beads and can challenge teachers in a later round.

Board members asked about classwork that relied on phones and whether district-issued devices would fill gaps; staff and students said some classrooms use district iPads or one-to-one devices and that teachers are adapting assignments when needed. Students and staff noted expectations for accommodations for students who rely on phones for documented accessibility reasons.