Aspen School District bans cell phone use

Cell phone use is being banned at the Aspen School District (ASD), officials recently announced.

The ban goes into effect beginning in the 2024-2025 academic year after months of conversations on how to address derailed instruction time and declining mental health due to cell phone use.

Superintendent Tharyn Mulberry notified district staff and families of the new policy in a letter on Aug. 7, which The Aspen Times reviewed. The decision to adopt a cell-phone-free policy at the elementary, middle, and high schools was driven by a desire to enhance focus while learning, improve social interactions, and improve mental health and well-being among ASD students.

---

---

“This decision was not made lightly. Over the past year, our teachers and staff have expressed growing concerns about the impact of cell phone use on our students’ learning environment,” he said in the letter. “We conducted surveys, hosted a Town Hall meeting, and gathered feedback from teachers, parents, and students. We also reviewed current research and best practices from other schools that have implemented similar policies.

“After careful consideration,” he added, “we believe that this change is essential for several reasons.”

---

---

District leaders have grappled with excessive cell phone use for months. Cell phone use derailed instruction time in classrooms and forced teachers and administrators to become managers in the classroom rather than educators, they said in ASD Board of Education meetings and at a March town hall about cell phone use. 

It also exacerbated a cyberbullying problem in the school district, impacting students’ mental health. In May 2023, the district joined districts across the country in suing several social-media companies over the effect they can have on the mental health of students.

During the town hall hosted in March with district staff, students, and families, a clear solution to excessive cell phone use was not reached. According to a district survey conducted last December, 89% of the more than 1,170 people who responded said they believe cell phones distract students. 

“Cell phones can be a significant distraction in the classroom,” Mulberry said in the letter to families. “By removing them, we aim to create an environment where students can fully engage with their lessons, participate in discussions, and concentrate on their studies without the constant interruption of notifications.”

During a previous interview with The Aspen Times, he said addressing the cell phone problem at the school district was one of his main priorities as he geared up to assume the role of superintendent. Former Superintendent Dave Baugh discussed cell phones on many occasions with the ASD Board of Education before leaving the district in June.

One of Mulberry’s priorities was to adopt a district-wide cell phone policy. Each school had its own cell phone policy, but the district did not have a way to enforce a single policy among all three schools. 

Each school has differing rules and disciplinary actions under the new policy, but the ban is universal for Aspen elementary, middle, and high schools.

How the new policy will work

Students at Aspen High School may not use a cell phone, smartphone, or AirPods in the building until classes end at 3:25 p.m., according to the new policy. If students arrive at school early, they may not use their phones or AirPods once they enter the building.

High school students may also not have phones out or visible during the entire academic day, including passing, lunch, and free periods. Additionally, they are not allowed to use smart watches for communication during the day.

If a student at the high school is caught with a phone or AirPods, the devices will be collected and sent to the main office. Parents will be notified to pick up the devices by 4 p.m.; students will not be able to pick up their own devices.

Students at Aspen Middle School will be required to put their cell phones, smart watches, and earbuds in their lockers. Middle school students will not be allowed to use their cell phones during sporting events, both at home and away, according to the middle school policy. 

The first time a middle school student is caught with a banned device, it will be confiscated by a staff member and held in the main office until the end of the school day where a parent or guardian can pick it up. A staff member will confiscate the device on a second offense, and the student will be required to have an administrative meeting with their parent or guardian to review the policy. After a third offense, students will also be required to check their device into the office for 10 school days.

Aspen Elementary School students will be required to power off cell phones and earbuds and put them in their backpack. Smart watches must be placed in “school mode,” according to the elementary school policy.

Elementary school students will not be allowed to use their phones in the gym, lunchroom, playground, restrooms, or on the school buses. If a student is caught with a cell phone for the first time, they will be asked to put it in their backpack. On second offense, the student’s parent or guardian must pick up the phone from the main office. On third offense, students will be required to check their device in and out of the office for 10 school days. 

Students who must use their phones for medical reasons will be able to do so with explicit permission from a school nurse.

Policy concerns

One of the main concerns brought by parents during the March cell phone town hall was how they could communicate with their students in the case of an emergency. During a 2023 swatting incident, district leaders previously said students texting their parents and other students caused widespread misinformation. 

According to the new policy, the district notes that families will be notified via text and email during an emergency, and in the case of a lockdown, students will be allowed to access their phones or the teacher’s to communicate once it is safe to do so.

The district is also encouraging parents who wish to contact their students during the school day to call the school’s main office or email their students. Each student will have access to a school-provided Chromebook beginning this academic year, and each student has a district email address. 

Aspen High School previously attempted to enforce an “out of sight during class” policy using phone pockets during the 2023-2024 academic year, but teachers and administrators said it did not work. Instead, teachers had to spend their classes policing phones instead of teaching. 

Mulberry hopes the lack of cell phones will help students connect with one another and improve their mental health and well-being.

“We want to foster a school culture where students connect with each other face-to-face, building stronger relationships and social skills,” he said in the letter to families. “Without the barrier of screens, students will have more opportunities to engage in meaningful conversations, collaborate on projects, and support each other.”

Aspen High School Principal Sarah Strassburger will host a virtual meeting for families at 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 14 to answer questions regarding the new cell-phone policy. The district will send an email to families with login information closer to the meeting.

“We are excited about the positive impact this change will have on our school community,” Mulberry said. “I am confident that this policy will help us create a more focused, connected, and supportive learning environment for all students.”