LIMA, OH (WLIO) - Students at Lima Senior returned from Christmas break with a new rule in place to limit cell phone use to only during their lunch period.
School officials say they expect the new rules to cut down on distractions during the day, but they also feel the policy is a good opening for parents to talk to their kids about cell phone use.
The Lima School Board developed the policy for cell phones and personal communication devices last fall and approved it during their December meeting. There is an exception if the teachers get permission to use it for a lesson. The policy also lays out punishment if the students are caught using it during unapproved times, from confiscation of the device for the day up to an in-school suspension for multiple violations.
School officials say they expect the new rules to cut down on distractions during the day, but they also feel the policy is a good opening for parents to talk to their kids about cell phone use.
"I am also hopeful that as parents we are encouraging our students to use technology in an intelligent and productive manner. These phones are not locked into pouches. Students are just powering them off. They can be on their person as long as they are not out. I do feel that we should be teaching kids responsibility in terms of when it is appropriate, when it is not appropriate, and the same thing should go for us as adults," says Superintendent Jill Ackerman.
Students at Lima Senior returned from Christmas break with a new rule in place to limit cell phone use to only during their lunch period.
According to Ohio rules, all school districts in the state have to adopt a policy on limiting students' cell phone use by July of 2025.
