The West Prairie Press

By Janell Heaton

What is the phone policy?
At West Prairie Jr./Sr. High, the policy is that students must keep their phones off and in their lockers at all times during the school day. Phones are not allowed on your person or in the classroom—they must stay in your locker.

• First offense: Your phone is taken and sent to the office; you can pick it up at the end of the day.
• Second offense: Your phone goes to the office, and a parent must pick it up.
• Third offense: Your phone goes to the office, a parent must pick it up, and you must complete the first step of the tech reset plan.

I completely agree with not having phones in the classroom. However, I disagree with not being able to use them at lunch. I understand there is concern about students not wanting to put their phones back in their lockers. Despite this, I think if we develop a routine of putting them away after lunch; students will be fine. I don’t see a difference between putting phones away in the morning and putting them away after lunch.

Many kids, especially introverts, use their phones to decompress, which is important for helping them continue through the day. I am one of those students—I used lunch as a time to use my phone and decompress from the craziness of school.

According to the Illinois General Assembly:

“Sec. 10-20.88. Restrictions on cellular telephone use. A school board shall prohibit a student from using a cellular telephone in a school or on school property while the student is attending class. This restriction shall not apply during lunch, recess, passing periods, or emergency situations.”

This bill has not yet passed, but if it does, it would allow students to use their phones during passing periods, lunch, recess, and emergency situations.

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Principal’s Response

Janell,

Thank you for your thoughtful op-ed and for taking the time to research both our school policy and the proposed legislation at the state level. I appreciate that you raised your voice respectfully and with supporting evidence—that is exactly the type of civic engagement we want to encourage at West Prairie.

I’d like to clarify why our policy is “off and out of sight, door to door,” including during lunch. Our decision is not arbitrary; it is based on both research and the real-life experiences of schools similar to ours.

Why We Don’t Allow Phones During Lunch

1. Social Connection & Mental Health
   Studies consistently show that phone use in unstructured times like lunch reduces face-to-face interaction and increases feelings of isolation. For example, a University of Chicago study found that even the mere presence of a phone on the table lowers the quality of conversation and connection (Ward et al., 2017). Similarly, other research shows that phones reduce enjoyment and satisfaction in conversations (Misra, Cheng, & Genevie, 2014). One of our goals is to create a school environment where students look up, talk to one another, and build friendships that help them feel connected to their peers and community.
   
2. The Myth of “Decompression” on Phones
   Many students believe scrolling on their phones helps them relax. In reality, studies show the opposite: excessive smartphone use is linked to higher stress, anxiety, and impaired self-regulation (Wacks & Weinstein, 2021; Radesky et al., 2023; Frontiers in Psychology, 2022). Schools that allow phones at lunch often report students struggling to transition back to class, with conflicts, distractions, or emotional spillover from what happened online.
   
3. Consistency and Enforcement
   You mentioned that students could simply put their phones away after lunch. In practice, schools that have tried this model find it creates constant battles. Teachers and administrators spend valuable time policing phones instead of supporting instruction. A door-to-door policy removes this gray area and ensures fairness: everyone follows the same rule, all day, every day.

Why Our Policy Works Better

At West Prairie, we’ve already seen that phone-free days increase eye contact, conversation, and engagement. National research backs this up: schools with strict no-phone policies report higher academic performance, fewer disciplinary incidents, and stronger student relationships.

Regarding Legislation

You are correct that there is proposed legislation to limit phone bans during lunch and recess. However, it has not passed, and schools still have the authority to create policies that prioritize student learning and well-being. Until and unless the law changes, we will continue to follow our current structure because we believe it best supports students academically, socially, and emotionally.

I admire your willingness to advocate for what you believe. I also encourage you to think about alternatives for decompression—like drawing, journaling, or simply taking a quiet walk outside—that may give the same mental break without the negative side effects of phones.

Sincerely,
Megan Pittman
Principal, West Prairie Jr./Sr. High