KANSAS CITY - Cell phones for students are banned in Parkway schools starting this fall. Parkway assistant superintendent Kevin Beckner tells KMOX, "We've seen a rising concern particularly among our elementary staff about smart watches even more than cell phones that are disrupting the learning, distracting students."
Elementary and middle school students will be barred from having smart devices during the day. High schoolers will have to turn them off during class. Parkway board members approved the new policy Wednesday night.
"We've seen quite a bit of concern from our teachers and a lot of concern not just about student distraction in class which is certainly a key part of it, but also concern about their well being, concern about their mental health and concern about decreased social interaction," Beckner says.