SFSD conducting survey on student cell phone use
Jan 17, 2025
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) -- Do you believe cell phone and smartwatch use is a distraction in the classroom?
Should the technology be allowed during the academic day?
These are just some of the survey questions the Sioux Falls School District wants answered about student cell phone use at school.
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"A lot of times when we're talking about the use, we're talking about the personal use, accessing text messages or information that way, but even accessing social media sites," Incoming Superintendent Jamie Nold said.
A committee formed by the district created the series of surveys.
They were emailed to middle and high schoolers, parents, teachers, and principals.
The committee will review the responses and come up with a recommendation to the school board.
"If the feedback comes back to us and says, 'You know what? Cell phones are not an issue at all,' okay. Then it probably helps to guide us that we're right where we need to be and we're not going to change anything. I'm going to anticipate that it's probably going to come back that they are becoming more and more of a distraction to kids, more and more of a hindrance," Nold said.
The district does have a cell phone policy in place.
Cell phone use is not allowed during the academic day at the elementary and middle school levels.
While that's also the case in high schools, principals and teachers can make exceptions such as lunchtime or for academic purposes.
"We do have some rules in place. It's not that we've had nothing. It's just that, do we need to look at that and change some things?" Nold said.
The surveys need to be completed by January 31st.
Nold expects the committee to come up with a recommendation for the school board in February or March.