Some Say New Cell Phone Policy Doesn’t Go Far Enough

Students in the Upper Saint Clair School District will face new rules for cell phones and other electronics when they return for classes in two weeks. On Monday, the school board rolled out its new administration regulation to the existing policy regarding electronic devices, which the district says will provide consistency across all grades. Kindergarten through 6th graders aren’t allowed to use cell phones in school, and if a smartwatch is used, it must be in do-not-disturb mode. Some fear the changes are not enough. Some are behind a strong push to get Personal Electronic Devices, or PEDs, out of the classroom. 7th-8th grade students can bring the electronics to school but have to silence their phones and leave them in a locker unless given the go-ahead by a teacher. 9-10th graders are allowed to use their PEDs during study and lunch and the same goes for 11-12th graders. The policy gives teachers the final authorization for most usage. Those with USC unplugged say they’ve been fighting for a “bell-to-bell no device policy.” “Phones are securely away from the first bell of the school day to the last bell of the school day,” Talarico-Ramirez said. Currently, 17 states plus D.C. have the bell-to-bell policy.