When our high school students return from winter break on Monday, January 5, Bend-La Pine Schools will be enforcing a policy that prohibits students from using or handling their phones and other personal electronic devices from the start of the first class period to the end of the last class period. That has been the expectation for middle and elementary school students for some time now, but now it applies to our high schools as well due to a new state requirement.

The new Silent and Away policy is in effect during the entire instructional day, including during lunch and passing periods in our seven high schools. In this episode of Superintendent Cook's Supe's On! podcast, Dr. Cook's guest is Michael Hicks, Principal of Mountain View High School. They discuss why this policy is necessary and how schools will enforce the change. Principal Hicks talks about how schools have prepared students for going without their phones for the entire instructional day, and the consequences for students who violate the policy.

In addition to this informative podcast, we invite you to visit our Silent and Away All Day webpage for answers to frequently asked questions about our new policy. The FAQ is available in English and Spanish.

(Theme music by Zakhar Valaha)