WOODBURY — Nonnewaug High School is not foreign to the epidemic of cellphone addiction, and many of the staff members believe it’s the main distraction for students. With the new cellphone policy officially taking effect at Nonnewaug, many have seen a clear and positive change in the school climate. 

“I think the positives of this policy focus on student teaching and learning in the class,” says Mykal Kuslis, principal at Nonnewaug. “It seems that students are more focused on their academics while less likely to be distracted by their phones. It has also helped by reducing the number of students in the hallways, and parents have positively responded to the policy as well.”

Other staff members have similar opinions surrounding the definite positive impact the new cell phone policy has had on the Nonnewaug community.

“I believe that the new cellphone policy has positively impacted our learning community,” said Nicole Lewis, assistant principal at Nonnewaug. “I believe having a schoolwide policy that is supported by all staff creates clarity and consistency for students. The expectations are clear.”

Despite some complaints from the students of Nonnewaug, administrators tried to be mindful of their concerns about the change in the school’s climate and have also made a point to address the concerns of the aggravated Nonnewug students.

“We tried to be mindful of the impact that it would have on kids in the classroom,” says Kuslis. “[We] tried to replicate the positives of the policies we saw from other schools. I have started a principal’s student advisory panel as well. If students have feedback, I am always willing to take that feedback as well, and welcome them to schedule a time to talk about it.”

Lewis said the process of developing the policy was research-based, and she’s seen positive effects outside the classroom, too.

“We reflected on what research has found about the brain and cellphone usage,” says Lewis. “All of this led us to the conclusion that teens perform at higher levels when cellphones are out of sight and not a temptation or distraction, so this policy aligns with our collective goal of preparing all students for their post-secondary plans. I have seen a positive reception of the policy by students. I have noticed at lunch [that] some tables of friends are choosing to stack their cellphones in the center and voluntarily not use them during lunch to be more present during their conversations with one another.”