Coeur d'Alene High School to Allow Cell Phone Use During Lunch
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho — Coeur d'Alene High School will permit students to use personal cell phones during the lunch period starting soon.
Background and Approval
The change follows a negotiated agreement between the student advisory group and district officials, and was approved by the school board earlier this year.
Safety Concerns and Rationale
Advisory members reported safety concerns that prompted the review, noting many students were leaving campus at midday to access their phones.
Potential Benefits
Officials say allowing phones at lunch could improve students’ mental well-being by giving them time to connect with others and take a brief break.
Discipline and Policy Changes
Administrators also hope a scheduled window for phone use will curb covert device use during class time.
Current District Policy
Under the current district policy, cell phones are prohibited during school hours for all grades, from kindergarten through 12th grade.