On an early May morning of 2024, Ohio Governor, Mike DeWine, signed a bill that ordered K-12 school districts to set stricter policies on personal device usage. It was decided by DeWine to apply this law to our school districts as it is believed to increase the ability of learning and allow students to be more focused on their work in the future. It is expressed that cell phones are believed to be more of a distraction than a learning tool in any circumstance. DeWine asked that all school districts in Ohio decide and set their own rules on the use of personal devices in their school. There were no specific suggestions, just as long as there was some sort of restriction of personal devices and it was consistent in keeping cell phone usage as limited as possible. 

With this information, school districts all over Ohio have discussed how to go about their specific phone or personal device rules throughout this past summer. After debating all summer long, NDCL has come to the final conclusion that phones will be collected in the beginning of every class and returned during times of lunch, lion time, and E.L.B (study hall). This allows students to give their undivided attention during necessary times of focus and learning, while also trusting them with proper personal device usage before they enter college, or the real world. 

Other schools around Ohio have worked on different strategies for limiting their students’ use of cell phones. Specifically for Mayfield Elementary, the students are responsible for leaving their phone in their locker or backpack and are forbidden to be in their pocket during the day. This also includes smart watches, and any other personal electronic devices. However, other schools have decided that it would be most effective to collect all students’ personal devices as soon as they walk into the school, and will be given it back on their way out. Let the learning flourish in Ohio!