How Tulsa Public Schools will enforce new no-cellphone rule

As Tulsa students head back to class, a new “bell-to-bell no cell” law is in effect across the state. It applies to all public school districts in Oklahoma.

“Bell-to-Bell No Cell” Expands to All Students

At Tulsa Public Schools, the biggest change will be for high school students, where phones will have to be put away, even during lunch and between classes.

TPS previously had “bell-to-bell” rules in place at elementary and middle schools.

RELATED STORY: Tulsa Public Schools Ban Cell Phones, Wireless Devices

Enforcing the State Law

It is up to individual districts to decide how to enforce the new law.

Over the summer, TPS leaders hosted a working group of principals to discuss the changes. They said they do not expect many problems with students, but they do have a plan.

"We ask students to put them away, give students a warning, right? Like, remind them of it. And then obviously, after a certain amount of time, like we would have to put consequences in place if you continued to just be on your phone in class or in the halls. Those consequences could include phones being confiscated," TPS Executive Director of Student and Family Support Services Stephanie Andrews said.

The district said it worked over the summer break to make sure families are aware of the new law.

Tulsa Public School leaders said they have been discussing this for some time and are prepared.

SEE ALSO: Can my kid bring a phone to school in Oklahoma?

Warnings and Consequences

A group of principals got together this summer to discuss the changes and come up with plans, including what happens when kids are caught breaking the rules.

"You get a warning, and then you might get what we call an incident log, where somebody marks an incident. And if you're in a high school, that could mean the dean comes down and says, 'What? You can't have your cell phone in class.' Right? It could mean, like, 'I'm going to have to collect your phone. You won't put it away,'" Andrews said.

District leaders said they do not expect many problems, saying they think kids will adapt well to the new rule.

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