Away For The Day | Latest News - How Oklahoma's cell phone ban in schools almost didn't happen

Oklahoma just implemented its new "bell to bell, no cell" bill, which requires students to keep personal electronic devices, including cell phones, turned off during the school day.

Schools across the state faced challenges implementing the new law heading into the new year, but, for the most part, districts have reported success. Some district leaders told KOCO 5 that they have seen increased student interaction and minimal infractions.

The bill's author, state Sen. Ally Seifried, and education leaders, Deer Creek Public Schools Assistant Superintendent Kristy VanDorn and Crescent High School Principal Jason Mackey, spoke with KOCO 5's Evan Onstot on Oklahoma Chronicle about the bill and its early implementation.

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Open the video player here to watch their panel discussion in full in this KOCO 5 Digital Exclusive.

Middletown schools actually implemented a cellphone-free environment in 2022 and reaffirmed it last year, saying the policy had "significantly enhanced classroom learning experiences across our district.

August 11, 2025

As the first day of school approaches, Jefferson County Public Schools is gearing up for a complete cellphone ban districtwide.

July 25, 2025

A big change is coming to New York City public schools beginning this September, aimed at eliminating distractions in the classroom.

July 24, 2025

Oelke said that she had previously worked at a school with a zero-tolerance cell phone policy. “It was absolutely one of the best teaching years that I have had in over a decade,” Oelke said.

July 22, 2025

Officials with the Phoenix Elementary School District said they follow "away for the day" guidelines, where students have to turn their phones off once they get to campus.

April 14, 2025

Anchor Bay schools are going cellphone-free this fall. The district is planning to roll out a new “Away-for-the-Day” device policy at the start of the 2025-26 school year.

April 28, 2025

Schools that have adopted “away for the day” policies, including those in Colorado, Ohio, Portland and elsewhere, say that the lunchroom is loud again.

June 18, 2025

Anchor Bay Schools calls it the “Away-for-the-Day” device policy, and some parents have told Local 4 that they have safety concerns about it.

May 1, 2025

'Away for the day' cellphone rule to remain in place in Harrison County (West Virginia) schools

July 10, 2025

Every school district in Tennessee will have some form of a cellphone ban once school starts in a few weeks due to a new state law.

July 15, 2025

Ohio private schools don't have to follow the new student cell phone ban. Some are anyway

July 15, 2025

Under the new policy, Scotia-Glenville middle and high school students will be required to keep their phones in their lockers from the start to the end of the school day. The district has decided against using phone pouches.

July 16, 2025

While a new policy has not yet been set, Friendswood ISD officials are inching closer toward an “away for the day” cellphone policy for the 2025-26 school year

March 23, 2025

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell has introduced legislation that would ban cellphones and other personal electronic devices during school hours

January 17, 2025

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As the first day of school approaches, Jefferson County Public Schools is gearing up for a complete cellphone ban districtwide.

A big change is coming to New York City public schools beginning this September, aimed at eliminating distractions in the classroom.

Oelke said that she had previously worked at a school with a zero-tolerance cell phone policy. “It was absolutely one of the best teaching years that I have had in over a decade,” Oelke said.

Officials with the Phoenix Elementary School District said they follow "away for the day" guidelines, where students have to turn their phones off once they get to campus.

Anchor Bay schools are going cellphone-free this fall. The district is planning to roll out a new “Away-for-the-Day” device policy at the start of the 2025-26 school year.

Schools that have adopted “away for the day” policies, including those in Colorado, Ohio, Portland and elsewhere, say that the lunchroom is loud again.

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Last year, Poughkeepsie City School District implemented an ‘away for the day’ policy at the middle and high school.

The new “away for the day” policy was approved by the district’s governing board Tuesday night.

Anchor Bay Schools calls it the “Away-for-the-Day” device policy, and some parents have told Local 4 that they have safety concerns about it.

'Away for the day' cellphone rule to remain in place in Harrison County (West Virginia) schools

Every school district in Tennessee will have some form of a cellphone ban once school starts in a few weeks due to a new state law.

Ohio private schools don't have to follow the new student cell phone ban. Some are anyway

Under the new policy, Scotia-Glenville middle and high school students will be required to keep their phones in their lockers from the start to the end of the school day. The district has decided against using phone pouches.

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While a new policy has not yet been set, Friendswood ISD officials are inching closer toward an “away for the day” cellphone policy for the 2025-26 school year

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