Stricter Cellphone Policy At Lyons Township High

LA GRANGE, IL – Lyons Township High School plans a stricter policy on cellphones next school year: Students won't be allowed to use them in classrooms.

At this week's school board meeting, Principal Jennifer Tyrrell said the school will ban phone use during instructional time campus-wide.

She said the policy may be changed in the coming years.

"One teacher may say the cellphone has to be out of sight. Others may use a pouch," Tyrrell said. "We're comfortable with that at this point in time. We may make a recommendation down the road that looks different and achieves consistency in practice. Right now, we believe this is the right step."

The school has consulted the teachers union on the policy, the principal said. It plans to tell parents and students about it in the school's welcome-back message.

Board member Tim Albores praised the policy.

"I'm a huge fan of it," he said. "I wish we could go even further at some point because I know that cellphones interrupt our kids' brains. We're suing Facebook and Instagram. The impact of cellphones on our kids is tremendous."