I agree if it's done in the classrooms with the ability to use them in emergencies. Yes there should be some type of punishment if they are used in non emergency situations. Perhaps the loss of the privilege to have a phone at all on campus. This should teach responsibilities most need to learn.

As a retired teacher, I have found that cellphones are very distracting in the classroom. Their benefits are far more outweighed by their detriments. In emergencies, school telephones are available for incoming and outgoing calls.

Not only are cell phones a distraction to students and staff during school time, research is increasingly showing the detrimental effect smart phone use is having on juvenile mental health. It is a new drug and we owe it to our kids to be responsible in recognizing this and regulating its use.

They are distraction to a students ability to concentrate and learn in class. And getting a good education is the key to their future success in life.

When in school, at work, in church, etc should not be distracted with phones. There is a time and place; school is not the place to use phones.