Back to School: Twin Falls School District introduces new policy on phones

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — It is almost time to get ready to go back to school. With the new school year starting, there are also new policies that kids must follow. 

“First and foremost is we want our students to be engaged in their classes,” said the Twin Falls School District Public Relations Director Eva Craner.  

This school year, the Twin Falls School District is rolling out a district-wide policy that dictates how cellphones, earbuds, and smartwatches can be used on campus. 

“Personal electronic communication devices will not be allowed to be used during school on our campuses,” Craner said. “With only one caveat that high school students can use those devices during lunch time because we have open campuses.”  

According to Craner, this new policy will help students stay engaged in class and improve their mental health and well-being. 

“What many studies are seeing is that interruptions that we see associated with personal electronic communication devices is breaking down the ability for young people to connect and engage authentically.”  

If students violate policy, their phones could be taken away by the end of the school day. As parents are concerned about keeping in contact with their children, the district asks them to contact the school during the day to reach them.  

“We just ask that parents help reiterate that those cell phones need to be put away, we hope that parents will be partners with us in this,” Craner said.   

The district says they are open to ideas and suggestions while enforcing this new policy. 

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