Sept. 28, 2026- It was opening day, and Superintendent Michael Citta had spent the first part of the rainy morning inside the main entrance of High School South greeting students and staff. The energy was positive, the mood was bright despite the weather, but even beyond those first-day vibes, Citta left the school in even better spirits than usual.

“You know what?” he asked rhetorically. “I don’t think I saw one phone.”

There was, for sure, interest in how the state-mandated cell phone policy—which removed smart phones from the educational environment from bell to bell—would be received, especially at the outset. Would there be an adjustment? Growing pains?

The answer seemed apparent from the get-go: Not really. In fact, what was most encouraging to Citta and his colleagues throughout the district was that everyone seemed … relieved. Happy. Teachers were teaching and students were learning without distractions, and it was glorious.

OK, maybe there were some adjustments.

"The first two days were horrible," said High School East student Tyler Kura, laughing. But it was a quick turnaround once everyone got used to the new rules and routine, and from there students started, well ... talking, mostly.

"People talk a lot more and on a much deeper level," Tyler said. 

"The cafeteria at lunch is a whole new world." -Maryellen Kennedy

Tyler and a group of his HSE peers — Kora Koenigstein, Kylie Paladino, Ciley Francis, and Chase Rankin — sat down recently to talk about what school life has been like during the first month of the statewide cell phone ban. Coincidentally, East was coming off of its fall pep rally, which Kora described as incredibly fun and inspiring, a sentiment shared by the entire room.

"No one wanted to come inside," Kora said. "Everyone seemed so happy."

Why? According to these Raiders, because no one had their phones.

"Best pep rally of my high school career," Chase said. "By far the most engaged everyone has ever been."

The positive developments since the ban has been implemented are impossible to ignore. Kylie noted how there are fewer distractions, especially in the hallways where everyone has their heads up now. More work is getting done at school as students opt to do homework during downtime rather than veg-out on their phones, meaning more free time at home (to, yes, probably veg-out out on phones, but we'll allow it). The entire school environment is trending toward optimistic and upbeat, not only because more students have been connecting in person, but because of things they no longer have to deal with or manage.

"There's less unnecessary drama from being on social media," said Ciley, noting that things being filmed or posted in real time could often adversely affect the day, the mood, the emotions for all involved.

"[Students are] talking to each other more ... and making eye contact. I'm loving it." -Kelly Zyskowski

Speaking honestly, students said there's less cheating, and no temptation to cheat, as handheld access to answers and AI has been removed from the equation.

The hope and the plan is that all of these encouraging developments lead to tangible outcomes—more authentic learning, increased student achievement, and fewer HIBs and behavioral interventions. That data is already being tracked, but for now, the circumstantial evidence and the eye test is overwhelmingly positive.

And it's not only the students who are noticing the sea change taking place. Staff members in all settings are witnessing it, too.

"Students are working consistently during the period, and fewer students are asking to go to the bathroom. They're talking to each other more, and in the hallways they are aware of their surroundings and making eye contact," said teacher Kelly Zyskowski, while adding, "I'm loving it."

"The cafeteria at lunch is a whole new world," said Assistant Food Services Director Maryellen Kennedy. "I hear laughing and interaction again, and it makes my heart smile."

"The lack of cell phones has had an influence on the emotional demeanor of the students," said English teacher Douglas Trumble. "They appear more relaxed and calm. Also, with any downtime, the students are more productive while working on advance assignments."

"They've been chatting and laughing with one another," said teacher Erica Marra of her students. "They're making new friends. They are happy. I actually have not heard a single complaint."

To be fair, there are some complaints, or at least a few things that remain to be worked through. Students have been challenged to find alternate ways to communicate with family members when practices, games, or club meetings are changed or postponed. The devices did come in handy to film or photograph classroom projects for posting in Google Classroom, and app notifications from advisors and coaches simply have to wait. But students are adapting, with the help of their teachers and school leaders.

For example, one of the most common gripes about the ban is that no one knows what time it is anymore, as many classroom clocks have been broken for years since no one really relied on them.

"Our PTO is working to purchase some clocks," said HSE Principal Erin Anders.

And she said it with a smile. Because Anders knows—and everyone throughout the district would agree—that trading in some tick tock for TikTok has already been reaping some big dividends.

All photos are by Allison Goodwin.