New cell phone policies to be in effect for some area schools in new school year

Things will be noticeably different in classrooms in Menomonee Falls schools this school year, with cellphones being given the boot from classrooms.

The Menomonee Falls School District used to have a policy that let individual teachers decide whether to allow cellphones in classrooms. But the classroom-by-classroom policy didn't really work, and staff members preferred a uniform policy.

This summer, a number of Menomonee Falls High School teachers met to created what they deemed appropriate schoolwide rules that fit the policy of the school district as a whole. Families were notified of the change Aug. 1.

Students can still have cellphones at school, but they may only be used during passing times, at lunch and in study hall. 

All Menomonee Falls High School students have access to computers and Chromebooks so relevant technology (such as calculators and a dictionary) is still accessible to them during the day and in class time.

Pewaukee

In Pewaukee Schools, new Superintendent Mike Cady has said the district has informed families of a mostly similar policy that prohibits cell phones in classrooms at all schools.

At Pewaukee High School, phones will be allowed during non-academic passing times and at lunch. Asa Clark Middle School Students may only have their phones during lunch, and Horizon and Pewaukee Lake elementary school students are not allowed to use phones at all during the school day. 

Students will have access to a Chromebook or a laptop to access relevant technology for educational purposes.

Cady said the response from parents has been positive. According to Cady, Pewaukee High School Principal Marty Van Hulle told him Aug. 22 that almost 100 percent of the parent feedback he's received to date has been fully supportive of the new rules.

"We don't expect the kids to be thrilled about it, and I get it, but we got to make decisions that we think is best for the learning environment and for kids," Cady said.

North Shore

The Nicolet Unified High School District's cellphone policy already prohibits cell phones in the classrooms while allowing them to be used during lunch or passing times. Whitefish Bay and the Mequon-Thiensville School District's policies also appear to be unchanged at this time.