PORTLAND, Ore. — Starting in the fall, students at a Portland high school will be required to lock up their phones and smart watches for the entire school day.
Grant High School in Northeast Portland notified parents of the new cell phone policy in an email sent out last week. The principal said the hope is that it will help create a "more focused and engaging learning environment."
Students will have a personally assigned lockable pouch called "Yondr." They'll be asked to secure their phones and smartwatches at the start of school. They won't be allowed to unlock them until the last bell rings.
KGW had a chance to speak to a few students on the new cell phone policy to get their thoughts.
"They're overdoing it by a long mile," said sophomore Charles Hunter. "I don't feel like they need to get devices."
Another student, freshman Maya Wagner, said they wouldn't mind the idea of it happening if it provided more flexibility for lunch and flex periods.
KGW also spoke to Schara Schulze, a mother of two Grant High School students, who said enforcement of the policy can help students focus in classes.
"For me, I think it's OK just to get more students to pay attention to the class," she said.
Portland Public Schools said the policy is only being implemented at Grant High School. The school's principal said there will be two open houses before this school year ends to answer parent questions.
Schools across the country in states like Texas, Massachusetts, Alabama, Wisconsin, Ohio and California have already introduced the pouch.
Research shows having a phone-free classroom improves academic performance, student engagement and reduces distractions, according to Grant High.
The school said there will be some exceptions to the policy based on certain medical needs, but did not elaborate.