Technology has become such a vital part of our lives, occupations, and even our education. We have seen our school systems transform from paper assignments to Chromebooks, encyclopedias to google, and even our own creativity to Artificial Intelligence. 

Recently, the Provo School District Board of Education came out with a survey questioning the current cell phone use in all PCSD schools. They accepted feedback till September 25, asking for perspectives of students, teachers, and parents. The survey was receiving opinions on the current phone policy, and thoughts of forming a new, more strict phone policy. 

In a district-wide email sent out on September 24, they shared a goal “not to demonize cell phones, but rather to foster a culture where instruction can occur without the distractions that cell phones bring”. They share the concerning effect that mixing phones with education has had, and will continue to have on us students. 

Although not confirmed, rumored ideas of the new cell-phone policy options have been circling around the school. One of these alleged ideas being a “magnetic cell phone pouch” where students carry around their own phone with restricted access until unlocked at the end of the day. Another being a “last period locker” where students drop off their cell phones at the beginning of the day, and retrieve it as the bell of their last class rings. 

Nobody can deny the impact of phones and technology in our modern society. With an emphasis on the positive side of communication abilities, and negative side of non-educational distractions, the district is striving to find a better compromise between the two.

The most popular belief is that the current phone policy is working great for Timpview, and there is no necessary change.