Away For The Day | Latest News - Missouri districts begin new school year with state-mandated cell-phone ban

Annelise Hanshaw, Missouri Independent

Amidst a plethora of back-to-school reminders, Missouri public schools are making a special effort to inform parents about a new state law banning cell phones during the school day.

The law, signed by Gov. Mike Kehoe in July, requires school districts to set a policy barring students from using mobile devices except for in emergencies or when instructed by a teacher. And with most students returning to classrooms this week, districts have been warning parents about the new expectations.

“I don’t know any district that’s fighting this,” Susan Goldammer, policy chief for the Missouri School Boards’ Association, told The Independent. “Most of the folks that I’ve spoken to are secretly quite happy that they have a little bit of additional authority to explain to parents why (devices) are not allowed.”

‍

Read the full article here.

Take the "Away For The Day" pledge and show that you support school policies that require students to put their cell phones away in lockers, backpacks, or other places all day.

Take The Pledge Here

Missouri districts begin new school year with state-mandated cell-phone ban

Was It That Easy?’ Teachers Weigh In On the New Cell Phone Bans in Schools

Schools are banning students from using cell phones. But where will they put them?

‘A great start:’ Norman Public Schools student, staff reflect on phone ban’s first week

Teacher rejoices over impact of school cellphone bans

Oklahoma welcomes students, but not their cellphones, back to school

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.

Cell phones are banned in Texas schools. Here's how DFW districts are enforcing that.

Twenty-two states enacted K-12 cellphone bans so far in 2025

How much is your NYC school getting for state’s new cellphone ban?

New Florida law targets cellphone use in schools

Tennessee enacts statewide classroom cell phone ban

Caught with a cellphone in school? Here are the consequences at one major Alabama system

Mass. Senate passes school cell phone ban

Topeka Public Schools to ban phones in classrooms this school year

Amarillo phone ban helped end vaping, fights

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.

Cellphones, watches, earbuds restricted in Alabama schools this fall: What you need to know

Wenatchee Schools to Enforce Cell Phone-Free Policy Starting Fall 2025

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.

Texas implements statewide ban on cell phones and smartwatches in schools to curb distractions

Missouri student cell phone ban signed into law

Ohio school districts prepare to implement new budget’s ban on cell phone use by students

A new school year will bring cell phone bans, new classes, and new education costs

Massachusetts one step closer to banning cellphones in schools

Cellphones banned in NC schools? What to know about new legislation

Cell, no! After Two Years of Debate, Oklahoma Schools Get Months to Ban Phones

Smartphone bans in Dutch schools have improved learning, study finds

Vermont, Ohio, North Carolina, and Oregon have all enacted statewide bans on cellphone use in K-12 schools since June 27

Gov. Kotek issues executive order banning cellphones during school hours

Ridgefield Parents Push For Bell-to-Bell Cellphone Ban At Schools Amid Growing Statewide Support | Ridgefield, CT Patch

Cellphone Policy Catching on with Students, Parents - Seattle Public Schools

Gilbert Public Schools bans cellphone use for K-8 students

Is LAUSD's cellphone ban working? Here's what we know after one semester

Conroe ISD "unanimously approved what it's calling the “away for the day” policy"

Texas governor signs statewide cellphone ban for public schools into law

Portland School Board votes to ban cellphones during school hours

Nevada becomes 21st state to adopt cellphone ban or limit

Youngkin signs bill banning cellphone use in Virginia public schools

Cellphone Ban Adopters Share How They Did It—and How It’s Changed Students

Our school started enforcing its cell phone ban. The results have been astounding.

Half of U.S. states now have laws banning or regulating cellphones in schools, with more to follow

Michigan lawmakers agree on restricting student phone use, but differ on how

Hochul: New York’s classroom phone ban ‘saving education’

Palm Beach County School Board backs a 'bell-to-bell' cellphone ban for K-8 students

Oklahoma governor signs mandatory one-year school cellphone ban into law

New York Bans Smartphones in Schools, Joining National Movement

The Global Fight Against Smartphones In School Gets A Big Boost — Finland Joins The Pack

Florida expands cell-phone ban in elementary and middle schools, and select high schools

As a nationwide push to ban cellphones in schools grows, Congress looks to get involved

Nationwide proposal to remove cellphones from classrooms introduced

Ohio governor pushes for statewide ban on cell phones in schools

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs signs school cell phone restrictions into law

‘It was so freeing’: How a cellphone ban is changing life at a Virginia high school

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

More states move to ban cellphones in school as Georgia is latest to act

Off the Screen: St. Mary's implements phone-free school day

Texas bill would ban K-12 students from using cell phones during school hours

Phone bans sweep US schools despite skepticism

School cell phone ban passes Oklahoma House, Senate

One School’s Bold Move to Lock Away Phones Transformed Learning

Los Angeles public schools begin ban on cellphones

Flaws in a Recent Lancet Study on Phone Use in Schools

Illinois governor to back ‘screen-free schools’ and join national trend to ban cellphones in class

LAUSD cell phone ban takes effect Tuesday: How it works

What Are the Best Ways to Manage Cellphones in Schools?

New York governor proposes ban on phone use in schools

State lawmakers want a cell phone ban in Georgia elementary and middle schools

CT school officials say they're seeing higher grades, better attendance with cellphone bans