The Away for the Day cellphone initiative continues to be effective in its second year at Bulkeley Middle School. There was only one reported violation over the first two weeks of school.
Away for the Day is a national initiative to promote cellphone-free schools. Bulkeley students are asked to leave their phones in their lockers at the start of the school day and are not permitted to remove the phone until the bell rings to end the school day. If a student needs to make a call during the school day, they may use a phone in the conference room near the main office.
“We implemented it last year with quite a bit of success,” said John Kemnitzer, middle school principal. “However this year we’re promoting it even further and have had great success so far.
“I think we’re building a culture here in the middle school where this is just what we do. This is the expectation. You’re here to focus, learn and interact with your classmates and the people around you. You’re not here to interact with your screen.”
School staff also is making an additional effort to cut back on screen time by having students close their laptops when they are not being used for schoolwork.
Kemnitzer emailed families with the school plan for cellphones and laptops before the start of the school year and met with students in the auditorium to discuss the plan and answer any questions.
“We’re looking to form relationships and build community with each other rather than devices,” he said.
Malena Ruiz-Michels said having her cellphone in school could be a distraction and added her phone is a distraction at home.
“I think the phone helps with friendships outside of school because it’s easy to communicate with them. If we had our phones during lunch, everyone would be on it instead of hanging out,” said the eighth grader.
“I know when I’m home doing my homework, it can sometimes be distracting with apps like Snapchat where they give you notifications and you always feel you have to pick up your phone.”
Peri Aruz said her cellphone is not a distraction as she does her homework at home.
“I turn my notifications off and put it on my bed when doing homework,” the eighth grader said.
Ruiz-Michels and Aruz shared similar thoughts with teachers having them close their laptops in class.
“When I’m asked to close my computer, it’s kind of hard because you’re looking at a screen and you just can’t stop even when there’s nothing to look at,” said Aruz.