GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Forest Hills Public Schools is banning student cell phone use during the school day beginning with the 2019-20 school year.

"When we are able to remove that distraction, the focus and engagement of students increases in terms of what we are doing in the classroom,'' said Superintendent Dan Behm, who said they want to improve the educational experience for their students.

Behm said students will not be allowed to carry or use cell phones during the school day. He said they should not be visible.

Like other districts, he said students have never been allowed to use cell phones in class unless authorized for a lesson, but now they also can’t be used in between classes, at lunch or anytime during the academic day.

"We see this as a way to strengthen the positive aspects of social and emotional learning,'' Behm said.

He said they want to encourage more face-to-face interaction among students.

Behm said the district didn’t have a formal policy for all students, rather each building had its own method of handling cell phone use on campus. He said banning the phones has been under discussion for a couple years.

Last school year, he said Northern Middle School piloted no cell phones and reported positive results. He said the previous year, Eastern High School had a week without cell phones.

He said feedback from students in various pilots was positive as they felt liberated from not having to constantly check for texts, Facebook or Instagram posts. He said they also didn’t have to worry about missing something other classmates were seeing, or having their photo posted online.

"We think the benefits of removing these distractions and habit of constantly looking at their phones will have a strong benefit,'' Behm said.

"We want students to focus deeply on the particular concept being taught and that requires their undivided attention. Having the cell phone with you promotes an unhealthy level of multitasking.''

Forest Hills had a K-12 population of 9,774 students last year, according to state data. It is the second largest district in Kent and Ottawa counties and third largest in West Michigan.

Parents were notified about the change in a June 21 letter with information about the benefits of eliminating student cell phone use during the school day.

Parents were told that if they believe their child needs access to a cell phone before or after school, it will be the student’s responsibility to ensure their phone remains stored while they are at school.

Behm said the ban was applauded by a 60-person parent advisory committee he meets with monthly. He said phones are available in the office of each school should a student need to contact their parent.

"Reviewing research on the use of cell phones by school-aged children has allowed us to reflect on how to best support our students as they learn and grow,'' according to the letter.

"It has become clear that excessive exposure to cell phones has a negative effect on school-aged children.''

Behm said the first time a student is seen with a cell phone during the academic day, it will be confiscated and they can pick it up from the office at the end of the day.

If there is a second violation, he said a parent will have to come retrieve the phone and there will be a discussion about the policy and the consequences of further violations.

The policy is said to support the mental well-being of all students.