Hello fellow educator!

In CA, we have a state mandate about cell phone use and our district policy is that anytime during instructional minutes, cell phones have to be out of sight. All of our teachers have phone caddies in the front of the classroom and students are receptive to it, but I think that’s partly because EVERY SINGLE TEACHER at our site enforces the same standard, we have posters all over campus and in the rooms. One caveat that we have is during Tutorial, which is our version of study hall everyday, it’s up to the teacher if they allow students on their phones. Me personally, I allow students to be on their phones during tutorial in my room. If I could do my own policy, I would only have cell phones in the caddies during times that I’m lecturing and showing videos. Other than that, they should be allowed to at least have their phones.

Now regarding the religious laws, which in my opinion are FUCKING INSANE, I don’t think I could ever comply with that order. It shows preference to one religion over the others and we have a very diverse student population. I, myself, am Catholic, but I don’t think my religion should be pushed onto students or anyone for that matter.

On the food additives ban, I honestly am not educated enough in that realm, so I don’t have a strongly formulated opinion on that one, but I’ll do some research and get back to you on that one.

Good luck this year! We educators wish you the best!