Find Your Focus

Supporting focused learning, a connected community, and student success in a cell phone free environment.

Responsible Electronic Device Use

Here in Salem-Keizer, creating a safe, welcoming and focused learning environment for students, and the best possible conditions for staff to support students, takes the partnership and action from all students, staff and families.

In order for students to be successful in school, it is important to work together to create the routines, systems and expectations that have been proven to support student achievement. This includes students being at school each and every day, being focused and engaged—both academically and socially—while at school and receiving the right instruction to further their academic goals.

We believe when we all work together to find focus, we enhance student learning, improve academic outcomes, support social-emotional health and well-being and build a strong sense of community.

Graphic of students and teacher performing a science experiment

Did you know?

In 2024, mobile devices are everywhere, making it hard for many to stay focused. Studies show that when students are away from their phones in class, they have better comprehension, lower anxiety, and greater mindfulness.

Source: National Library of Medicine

237

Average notifications students receive per day on their cell phone, with some students reporting as many as 4,500 daily notifications

Source: Common Sense Media

Average hours teens spend on social media apps daily, exposure to which doubles the risk of experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety

Source: American Psychological Association

Resources for Families & Community

Explore resources from experts and organizations, including books, guides, and materials for families. Sort by topic to find tools for parents, teachers, and lawmakers to encourage more play-based activities and reduce phone use among children.

Learn more from The Anxious Generation

iRespect&Protect supports youth, families, and communities by promoting self-worth, healthy online choices, and safe relationships. The online community offers tools to raise awareness of the impact of device use, including low self-esteem, cyberbullying, anxiety, depression, and more.

Learn more from iRespect&Protect

Cell Phone Use in Salem-Keizer Public Schools

For the last several years, Salem-Keizer Public Schools policy for all middle and high schools has included restrictions on cell phone use during the school day, which includes many schools using school-based policies such as “no cell, bell-to-bell.”

As part of the district’s effort to support student engagement, all secondary schools will restrict the use of cell phones throughout the school day.

Review district policy on personal mobile device use by students

Frequently Asked Questions about Cell Phone Use in Salem-Keizer

Are students allowed to use their cell phones during the school day?

Why is a cell phone-free environment important?

Students average 237 notifications on their personal devices each day, with some students reporting up to 4,500 daily notifications on their device. More than three hours of daily social media access doubles the risk of poor mental health, including experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Limiting constant interruptions and daytime access to social media has been shown to boost students’ ability to focus and be present with their peers and teachers in the instructional environment, and may lead to stronger academic achievement and better well-being.

What happens if a student uses their personal device at school?

Schools in Salem-Keizer use a variety of tools to partner with students and families in adhering to the district cell phone policy. This can include expectations for devices being “off and away" and other classroom-based electronic device management strategies.

If a student uses their personal electronic device during school, the school will enact its disciplinary measures. This can include parent/guardian notice, parent/guardian in-person meeting with administration, collection of the device during the school day, required parent retrieval of the collected device, and/or loss of privilege of bringing the device to school.

Will my student have access to their personal electronic device during an emergency such as a school lockdown?

Students’ personal electronic devices shall remain off and away during the day but will remain in the student’s possession (ex. backpack). Students are expected to be off electronic devices during emergencies such as school lockdowns. This allows for students to be focused on emergency protocols and following directions of safety and security staff.

In the event of an emergency, we will communicate with families throughout the incident through the district’s mass notification platform, ParentSquare. Please make sure your contact information is up to date with our school to ensure you receive these notifications.

Please note:

In an emergency, cell phones can actually be a distraction that prevent students from focusing on the teacher and following directions.
Sending and receiving calls and messages and/or posting to social media may compromise student safety during an emergency and lead to misinformation.
Heavy cell phone activity may jam first responder and district lines of communication.

Are there special considerations or exemptions to the use of cell phones in SKPS schools?

Are all Salem-Keizer Public Schools using Yondr Pouches?

No. Six secondary schools in the district are currently implementing Yondr pouches to help students focus by creating phone-free spaces. Those schools include McKay and Sprague high schools and Straub, Stephens, Houck and Whiteaker middle schools.

Schools have several strategies they use to support student engagement and phone-free educational spaces. Yondr is now an additional tool schools could choose to use. At this time, only the six above schools have plans to implement Yondr pouches as a strategy.

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