Students at Greeley West High School are  seeing a significant difference in their attention spans – at least for the first two weeks. 

With the start of the new year West implemented a new phone policy for students that required phones to be put away at all times unless a teacher allows for it to be used at that time. The policy hopes to help teachers do their jobs better as well as see students grades and social lives become better.

English teacher Ms. Taylor Fellinger described a positive influence she had already seen.  “I used to see cyberbullying, now I see more engagement in class,” said Fellinger.

Sophomore Isaiah Parker said he’s been more focused as a student. “I’ve been on my phone less this year and I’ve been getting a lot more of my school work done,” Parker stated.

Freshmen students have been the least likely students to use their cell phones in class at West because the’re already used to the policy.  As a result, they’ve also noticed the smallest change.  Freshman Kyler Thurow, said “I’ve noticed no difference.” 

The policy was introduced to help reduce the phone usage in the classroom. It may be too early to tell if the effects will be lasting, but the policy’s launch has been successful for students and teachers alike. “The ones I’ve talked to, (they say,) yes.  It’s a breath of relief,” said Fellinger.

Parker added, “I spend more time in the moment and working with friends, I think my teachers might like me a little more too.”