Officials recently announced that the use of cell phones will be banned in the Aspen School District (ASD).

The ban will come into force from the 2024-2025 school year, following months of debate about how to address the loss of school hours and deterioration in mental health caused by mobile phone use.

Superintendent Tharyn Mulberry informed district staff and families of the new policy in an Aug. 7 letter, which The Aspen Times reviewed. The decision to implement a cellphone-free policy at the elementary, middle and high schools was driven by a desire to improve focus while learning, enhance social interactions and increase the mental health and well-being of students with autism.

“This decision was not made lightly. Over the past year, our teachers and staff have expressed increasing concerns about the impact of cell phone use on our students’ learning environment,” he said in the letter. “We conducted surveys, held a town hall meeting, and collected feedback from teachers, parents, and students. We also reviewed current research and best practices from other schools that have implemented similar policies.”

“After careful consideration,” he added, “we believe this change is essential for several reasons.”

District leaders have been grappling with excessive cellphone use for months. Cellphone use has disrupted classroom instruction and forced teachers and administrators to be managers instead of educators in the classroom, they said at ASD school board meetings and at a March town hall meeting about cellphone use.

It also exacerbated a cyberbullying problem in the school district that was impacting students’ mental health. In May 2023, the district joined districts across the country in suing several social media companies for the impact they can have on students’ mental health.

During a town hall meeting held in March with district staff, students and families, no clear solution to excessive cell phone use was found. According to a district survey conducted last December, 89% of the more than 1,170 respondents said they believe cell phones distract students.

“Cell phones can be a significant distraction in the classroom,” Mulberry said in the letter to families. “By removing them, we aim to create an environment where students can fully engage in their lessons, participate in discussions, and focus on their studies without being constantly interrupted by notifications.”

In a previous interview with The Aspen Times, he said that solving the school district’s cell phone problem was one of his top priorities as he prepared for the role of superintendent. Former superintendent Dave Baugh discussed cell phones with the ASD Board of Education on several occasions before leaving the district in June.

One of Mulberry’s priorities was implementing a district-wide cell phone policy. Each school had its own cell phone policy, but the district had no way to enforce a uniform policy across all three schools.

Under the new policy, each school will have different rules and disciplinary measures, but the ban applies across the board to elementary, middle and high schools in Aspen.

How the new directive works

According to the new policy, Aspen High School students are not allowed to use cell phones, smartphones, or AirPods in the building until classes end at 3:25 p.m. If students arrive at school early, they will not be allowed to use their phones or AirPods once they enter the building.

High school students are not allowed to take out or visibly carry cell phones during the entire school day, including recess, lunch, and free periods. In addition, they are not allowed to use smartwatches for communication during the day.

If a student is caught with a phone or AirPods at the high school, the devices will be collected and sent to the main office. Parents will be notified to pick up the devices by 4 p.m.; students will not be able to pick up their devices themselves.

Aspen Middle School students are required to store their cell phones, smart watches, and earbuds in their lockers. School policy prohibits middle school students from using their cell phones at home or during sporting events.

The first time a middle school student is caught with a prohibited device, it will be confiscated by a staff member and held in the main office until the end of the school day, where a parent or guardian can pick it up. On a second violation, a staff member will confiscate the device and the student will be required to have an administrative meeting with their parent or guardian to discuss the policy. After a third violation, students will also be required to turn their device in to the office for 10 school days.

Aspen Elementary School students must turn off cell phones and earbuds and pack them in their backpacks. Smartwatches must be switched to “school mode” per elementary school policy.

Elementary school students are not allowed to use their cell phones in the gym, lunchroom, playground, restrooms, or on school buses. The first time a student is caught with a cell phone, they will be asked to put it in their backpack. On the second offense, the student’s parent or guardian must pick up the cell phone from the main office. On the third offense, students must return and return their device to the office for 10 school days.

Students who need to use their phone for medical reasons may do so with the express permission of a school nurse.

Political concerns

One of the main concerns raised by parents during the cellphone town hall meeting in March was how they would be able to communicate with their students in the event of an emergency. During a swatting incident in 2023, district leaders previously said that students texting their parents and other students caused widespread misinformation.

Under the new policy, the district notes that families will be notified via text and email in the event of an emergency, and that in the event of a curfew, students will be allowed access to their phones or teachers’ phones for communication as soon as it is safe to do so.

The district recommends that parents who wish to contact their children during the school day call the school’s main office or email their students. Starting this school year, each student will have access to a school-provided Chromebook and each student will have a district email address.

Aspen High School had previously attempted to enforce an “out of sight during class” rule using cell phone bags in the 2023-2024 school year, but teachers and administrators said it did not work. Instead, teachers had to spend class hours monitoring phones instead of teaching.

Mulberry hopes that giving up cell phones will help students stay connected with each other and improve their mental health and well-being.

“We want to foster a school culture where students connect face-to-face and build stronger relationships and social skills,” he said in the letter to families. “Without the barrier of screens, students have more opportunities to have meaningful conversations, collaborate on projects, and support one another.”

Aspen High School Principal Sarah Strassburger will host a virtual meeting for families on August 14 at 5:30 p.m. to answer questions about the new cell phone policy. The district will email families with login information shortly before the meeting.

“We are excited about the positive impact this change will have on our school community,” Mulberry said. “I am confident this policy will help us create a more focused, connected and supportive learning environment for all students.”

Lucy Peterson covers education and Snowmass for the Aspen Times. Reach her at 970-429-9152 or [email protected].