The following is important information for students and parents attending Orem Junior this upcoming school year.
OJHS Cell Phone & Device Policy — Parent FAQ
Q. Why does Orem Junior High have a no-phone policy?
A. As a school we saw a need to look at the electronic device policy. Here are some of the things we did in the process of creating a new policy:
Collaborated with parents and community members during PTSA and SCC meetings.
Conducted a book study using the book Anxious Generation with dozens of faculty members and parent participants.
Read numerous articles and other research from multiple perspectives and sources.
Visited and learned from other schools’ electronic device policies and procedures.
We want our students to be fully present, focused, and engaged in learning. Cell phones and devices are a major distraction and often lead to issues with attention, peer conflict, or misuse. This policy helps protect learning time and creates a more respectful, connected school environment. A phone free school has been widely researched as beneficial to students’ educational, social/emotional, and physical wellness and development.
This decision is based on a growing body of research and real-world evidence showing that limiting cell phone use during the school day can lead to improved academic performance, better focus, and healthier social interactions for students. Studies have found that phones can be a major source of distraction in the classroom—even when they are not in use—because of notifications, social media, and the temptation to check messages.
In accordance with Utah SB178 which takes effect July 1, 2025.
Q. What research or reasoning supports this policy?
A. Several recent studies suggest that schools with restrictive phone policies see:
Higher student engagement during lessons
Improved mental health, including reduced anxiety and FOMO (fear of missing out)
Better peer relationships, as students are more likely to interact face-to-face
Fewer classroom disruptions and behavioral issues
Additionally, many school districts across the country that have implemented similar policies report positive outcomes, including calmer hallways, better attendance, and more meaningful learning environments.
We know that cell phones are a useful part of daily life, and this policy is not intended to remove them entirely—but rather to create a learning environment that is more focused, respectful, and free of unnecessary distractions during school hours.
Q. What types of devices are included in the policy?
A. Cell phones, headphones, airpods/earbuds, iPods/MP3, gaming devices (Switch), tablets. Smartwatches are discouraged, but they are allowed (“do not disturb”) unless they’re being misused (texting, games, notifications, etc.). If misused, they’ll be treated like any other device.
Q. When are phones and devices allowed?
A. Before and after school. During the school day, from 8:10 AM to 2:45 PM, all student electronic devices (including earbuds) must be turned off and kept in backpacks. This includes during passing periods, in the hallways, and at lunch.Off and away, every day.
Q. What if my student needs to contact me during the day?
A. They can come to the front office to use the school phone. They can also get permission to use their personal device within the front office space. We’re happy to help them get in touch if there’s something important.
Q. What if I need to contact my student about something during the day?
A. You can call the school. We have willing and helpful staff and student aides who will quickly relay information.
Q. Can my student still use their phone at school if it’s right before or after school hours?
A. Yes, students can use their phone at school before 8:10 and after 2:45
Q. How exactly will this policy be enforced during the day?
A. When a student is seen with an electronic device between 8:10 and 2:45:
The student is given an infraction slip and is asked to put their device away.
The teacher sends a message to administration with the student’ name.
An administrator will meet the student and escort them to the office.
The device is placed in a secure locker and the student is given a key to that locker to pick up the device at the end of the day (on the first offense).
Q. What are the consequences for students who violate the policy?
A. The consequences of offenses are as follows:
1st Offense: Student places device in the office lock box. Admin conferences with the student and the student picks it up after school. Parents are contacted and informed of the infraction.
2nd Offense: Student places device in the lock box, this time the device must be picked up by a parent. A parent is contacted and a student/admin conference is held.
3rd Offense: Student places device in the lock box and a parent must pick up the device. A parent meeting is scheduled to create a plan for success (daily device check-in or leave-at-home options).
Further Offenses: May result in in-school or out-of-school suspension.
Q. What if my child refuses to give up their device?
A. If a student refuses to put their device in the office lock box, a parent will be contacted and asked to assist in following the school protocol. Our goal is to maintain a calm and consistent response while enforcing the electronic device policy.
Q. How will the school track offenses?
A. Each incident is logged by our admin team. You’ll be contacted anytime your student has a violation.
Q. What if there is an extreme school emergency where I would need immediate school contact with my student?
A. We want students to be able to contact home in case of an emergency. Your student’s phone will still be accessible to them in their backpack in emergency situations.
Q. What if my child uses their phone as digital learning tools, for translation, or other educational purposes?
A. Each student is provided a chromebook that has the tools and capabilities built in for educational purposes, translation and more.
Q. What if my child has a special circumstance and/or accommodations?
A. Please contact the office if your child needs a personalized plan due to health or medical needs.
A medical accommodation like diabetes is an exception to the policy. Students who need to use their phone or device to check important levels can do so.
A 504 or IEP accommodation that involves listening to music during class work time can be accommodated with wired headphones and the chromebook (YouTube Playlist, etc.)
Q. What about my student who relies on a phone for anxiety and/or emotional regulation?
A. While phones can provide a sense of comfort or security, especially for anxious students who like knowing they can reach a parent if needed, the research increasingly shows that phones often do more harm than good in this area, especially during the school day. Frequent phone use is correlated with higher rates of anxiety and depression, especially in adolescents. Social media and video games, in particular, can heighten stress, self-comparison and other negative feelings.
Instead of learning healthy emotional regulation skills, students may use their phones to escape or avoid dealing with difficult feelings.
Constant access to notifications, messages, and social media can create a state of hypervigilance that makes anxiety worse.
Students often feel relief after phones are removed as a distraction, even if they initially resist the change.
While some students may believe phones help with anxiety in the short term, they are not a long-term solution for healthy emotional regulation. In fact, many experts argue that over-reliance on phones may prevent students from developing the resilience, coping strategies, and interpersonal skills they truly need.
Q. What about chromebooks?
A. Students are only allowed to use the school-issued chromebooks for educational purposes and during class time when indicated by the teacher. Students are not allowed to use chromebooks during passing periods and at lunch. If a student would like to use a chromebook to do schoolwork during lunch, there will be a system where students can use the library to do so.
Q. How will students be educated about the new policy and the reasons behind it?
A. We ask that parents communicate with their children about this new policy before school starts. We have started putting signage around the school before school got out for the summer. We will have school assemblies, announcements, and classroom instruction regarding the policy during the first weeks of school.
Q. How can parents support the new policy at home?
A: Parents play a vital role in helping students adjust to and succeed with this new policy. Here are several ways you can support your child and reinforce the importance of focused, phone-free learning:
Talk about the "why": Have an open conversation with your child about the reasons behind the policy—limiting distractions, improving mental health, encouraging face-to-face interactions, and building good habits for the future. Help them understand it's not about punishment, but about creating a better environment for learning and personal growth.
Set clear expectations at home: Discuss and model healthy phone boundaries at home too—like keeping phones out of bedrooms at night or during meals. This consistency helps students see that limits on phone use are part of overall well-being, not just a school rule.
Help with logistics: Encourage your child to leave their phone at home during the day if possible—or help them plan how and where it will be stored (e.g., in a locker or a sealed pouch). Make sure they have what they need (watch, calculator, etc.) so they don’t feel they’re missing out without their phone.
Practice alternate communication: Remind your child that if they need you during the school day, they can call from the office or talk to a counselor or administrator. Similarly, if you need to get in touch with them, the front office will make sure the message gets through.
Reinforce the long-term benefits: Talk about how learning to manage phone use is a valuable life skill. Reinforce positive changes you see in their mood, focus, or social behavior as they adjust to the new policy.