Governor Gavin Newson signed a law called the Phone-Free School Act “limiting or prohibiting” the use of cellphones during school hours. It will go into effect by July 1, 2026 and requires California schools to develop a phone policy.
The goal is to “support the mental health, academic success, and social well-being of California students.”
According to Principal Richard Nash, Poway High’s current policy meets the law’s requirements.
According to the Poway High School Student/Parent Handbook, “All electronic devices must be turned off and be out of sight before entering the classroom setting. Teachers may choose to allow students to use smartphone features during instructional time.” Poway’s policy allows for the use of phones during non-instructional times, such as passing periods, breaks, and lunch.
Nash wants to help students understand the cell phone policy.“I don’t believe there’s anything we should change about Poway High School’s cell phone policy, but we can work with students to help them understand,” Nash said.
Teachers at Poway High School have various strategies to enforce the current policy, ranging from no use at all during class time to limited use. English teacher Emily Seavy collects phones. “The best policy that has worked for me, and my students is to have a numbered pocket system with matching numbers on the pockets to match desk numbers. If a student fails to follow directions they could be marked as a truant or lose an extra credit point. This helps students feel safe in their learning environments and engage in lessons,” Seavy said.
Law and Action and History teacher Noah Lapp restricts phones but not completely. “My current policy is based on the department’s policy when students must have cellphones placed away at the beginning of class. I enforce this by asking students by having them away at the start of class and if students break the policy I’ll give them a warning to remind them of the classroom policy. This keeps my classroom a successful learning environment for my students and I.”