Johnson County principals say cellphone policy benefits student learning, increases social interaction

BUFFALO — Now that students’ phones are to be kept at home or in their lockers, Clear Creek kids are back to being kids in the school’s lunchroom, said Middle School Principal Ron Glassock.

Across the country, many states, districts and schools have created or tightened their student cellphone policies over the past couple of years in response to fears that student device use is harming their learning — both in the classroom and through reduced social interaction with their peers.

Last spring, Johnson County School District No. 1 test drove a more uniform cellphone policy during the end of last school year that became official heading into this school year.

The policy prohibits students in kindergarten to eighth grade from using personal smart devices during school hours, and it allows