Petition to Denver Public Schools: Create a Balanced Cell Phone & Smartwatch Policy That Includes Parent Choice

 

To the Denver Public Schools Board of Education:

 

We, the undersigned parents, students, educators, and community members, respectfully ask Denver Public Schools to reconsider and revise its district-wide cell phone and smartwatch policy.

 

We understand and support the goal of reducing classroom distractions and helping students stay focused on learning. Every parent wants classrooms where students can succeed academically and socially.

 

However, we also believe that a one-size-fits-all policy does not meet the diverse needs of today's students and families.

 

Cell phones have been part of students' lives for more than 20 years. If the concern is social media, constant notifications, and inappropriate use during class, then those issues should be addressed directly. At the same time, students already spend much of their school day using district-issued Chromebooks for assignments, research, testing, and communication. If we are discussing screen dependency, we should evaluate all educational technology—not just personal devices.

 

Technology should be used responsibly, not eliminated entirely. Students must also continue developing important life skills such as handwriting, reading printed materials, note-taking, critical thinking, and face-to-face communication.

 

Many parents purchase and pay for their children's phones and smartwatches. These devices are not simply entertainment—they are often an important way for families to stay connected. Some students may need immediate access to a parent or guardian because of a family emergency, medical condition, transportation change, mental health concern, or another personal situation. While schools have emergency procedures, parents should continue to have a voice in how their children communicate when unexpected situations arise.

 

Rather than one blanket policy for every student, we encourage Denver Public Schools to adopt a balanced, age-appropriate approach.

 

For high school students, allow phones and smartwatches to remain with the student on silent mode, with use limited to before school, after school, lunch, passing periods, teacher permission, approved medical accommodations, or legitimate personal or family situations.

 

For middle school students, allow phones and smartwatches to remain in a backpack or on the student in silent mode, with use permitted only with staff permission, for approved accommodations, or when communication with a parent or guardian is necessary.

 

Parents should also have the option to choose whether their child's phone remains powered off or on silent in their backpack or on their person during the school day, rather than requiring all devices to be placed in locked pouches or collection systems. Families know their children best, and school policies should partner with parents—not replace their judgment.

 

If students are expected to carry district-issued Chromebooks, chargers, textbooks, and other materials throughout the day, DPS should also continue expanding access to secure lockers and practical storage solutions to reduce the physical burden placed on students.

 

We respectfully ask the Denver Public Schools Board of Education to:

 

- Review the current cell phone and smartwatch policy with meaningful input from parents, students, educators, healthcare professionals, and school safety experts.

- Consider a grade-level approach rather than a one-size-fits-all policy.

- Allow phones and smartwatches to remain on students in silent mode when appropriate instead of requiring locked pouches or collection systems.

- Preserve accommodations for students with medical, safety, and educational needs.

- Continue evaluating both the benefits and challenges of educational technology, including district-issued devices.

- Share measurable data showing how the policy affects academic performance, attendance, discipline, classroom engagement, and student well-being.

- Establish a parent, student, educator, and community advisory committee to help shape future technology policies.

 

This petition is not asking for unrestricted phone use during class. It is asking for a thoughtful policy that balances classroom focus with student safety, parental involvement, personal responsibility, and preparation for the real world.

 

We believe students learn responsibility by practicing it. Schools and families should work together to teach responsible technology use—not simply remove opportunities to develop those skills.

 

If you believe Denver Public Schools should review this policy through collaboration, transparency, and meaningful parent involvement, please sign this petition and share it with others.

 

Together, we can create a policy that supports learning, respects families, protects students, and prepares them for the future.