DES MOINES, Iowa — Bergman Academy, an independent pre-K through eighth grade school in Des Moines, began its new academic year two weeks ago with something different for its students: a strict, "no-phone" policy.
The restrictions require students to place their phone and/or smartwatch in a locked box in the front office once they arrive for school. They are able to grab their devices at the end of the day when they leave campus.
"From my perspective, the way the box is going, couldn't be smoother," said student affairs director Sydney Gerritsen.
It's been a drastic change for students as well, but the school said no issues have really popped up since the transition in its technology policy. Before this academic year, Bergman Academy students had to place their phones in a locker during class time, but school officials said not everyone seemed to adhere to those rules.
"We knew we had a problem," Bergman Academy Head of School Christie Stover said. "We knew kids weren't as present in class and their learning wasn't as engaged. We know that learning is emotionally based. And that when kids are worried about what's taking place socially, online that they're not as engaged."
Stover added that the new restrictions have already made a noticeable difference. Students are more attentive and spending less time huddled around their phones.
"I was thinking it would take about two months for us to adjust and fall really into a comfort zone with not having the cell phones in the classroom," she said. "It took us about two days."
One concern parents had with the phone restrictions in school was contacting their child in the event of an emergency. However, Bergman Academy said it hasn't found any difficulties when that situation arises.