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Skyline Highs pocket-chart policy credited with reducing classroom phone distractions
Summary
Skyline principal Casey Elmore and teacher Casey Warner reported that a school-based cell-phone policy using pocket charts, progressive discipline and attendance-taking by chart has increased engagement; staff said parents were mostly supportive and student responses were mixed but many acknowledged reduced distraction.
Skyline High School leaders told the Ann Arbor board that a school-based cell-phone policy implemented in 2024-25 and continued this year has produced measurable classroom changes. Principal Casey Elmore described the policys core elements: phones placed in labeled pocket charts at the start of class, headphones stored away, attendance taken via the pocket chart, and progressive discipline for repeat noncompliance. "We drafted a policy ... established to create a conducive learning environment by minimizing distractions and fostering student engagement during class time," Elmore said.
Teacher Casey Warner described classroom outcomes: implementation has reduced time teachers spend policing devices, increased student-to-student conversation and engagement, and made instruction "enjoyable again." Warner said she had rarely had to confiscate a phone and that the pocket-chart attendance tweak improved consistency.
School-collected feedback showed strong parent support and mixed student sentiment: presenters reported that about 85% of responding parents favored restrictions, roughly 82% of students acknowledged phones were a distraction, and 74% of students agreed the policy helps reduce distractions (presenters noted students were less enthusiastic overall than parents and staff). Teachers reported increased engagement, improved classroom culture and easier early identification of learning needs because students were not hiding behind devices.
Trustees discussed extension to other high schools; Superintendent Parks and presenters noted Huron has followed a near-identical timeline and Pioneer is piloting early adopters. The board also heard that the MacBook pilot at Skyline improved device equity and reliability compared with older Chromebooks.
