Lots of exciting developments around the country and in Washington state, but we need to maintain the pressure on Seattle Public Schools to urge them to adopt a districtwide policy restricting cell phone use during school hours. Right now, some schools in the district are requiring students to put their phones in pouches when they enter a classroom (West Seattle High School, for example), and some schools (Robert Eagle Staff and Hamilton International middle schools) have introduced "away for the day" policies, in which students lock up their phones in Yondr pouches.
But as we learn more and more about how access to cell phones during school is harmful to students' ability to learn, how is it fair that only some schools have phone-free classroom time and others don't? SPS needs to adopt a districtwide policy restricting cell phones during school for the 2025-2026 school year.
Some state lawmakers want to pass a law restricting cell phone use in public schools, but their bill, HB 1122, would only go into effect in the 2026-2027 school year if it passes. As the largest district in the state, Seattle Public Schools should be a leader on this and implement a policy for this coming fall.
Here's how you can help make that happen:
* Send this petition to your friends and encourage them to sign it! Share it on your social media! We have power in numbers and need to show the district that this has wide support.
* A couple of us plan to provide public testimony to the Seattle School Board at their January 22 meeting, which starts at 4:15 pm. You have to use this link to sign up to speak at the meeting, and the sign-up form opens at 8:00 am on Monday, January 20. The public testimony slots usually fill up quickly, so it's good to fill it out right at 8:00, if possible. Here's more information on speaking at a school board meeting.
* Let your state lawmakers know that you support HB 1122 and want to see them pass a statewide law limiting cell phones in public schools.
Thanks for signing the petition and doing your part to help our kids learn without distractions!
Sincerely,
Ashley Gross, Gay Gilmore, Rao Talasila & Xingchun Zheng