Echoing similar efforts backed by state legislators and the governor, the Sunrise Middle School Board of Directors has adopted a cell phone ban for Sunrise, effective immediately.

The unanimous 5-0 vote Tuesday evening re-enforces what is in the student handbook, namely, that:

• The student’s phone will be taken away if seen outside the backpack or pocket and then will be returned at the end of the day.
• The parent will be notified on the second offense, and the student may have the phone back at the end of the day. (Parents don’t need to come in to collect the phone.)
• The student will be on a cell phone contract and must turn the phone in to the office each day after the third offense. If the student doesn’t turn in the phone, the office will keep it overnight.

Meanwhile, the new, formalized policy strongly encourages parents to set parent controls on their students’ phones, allowing them to be used only for emergency phone calls during school hours.

The board policy also encourages parents to closely monitor what their students are doing on social media.

According to a new law signed by Gov. Newsom, all school districts must develop policies to limit smartphone use during school hours by July 1, 2026.

When signing the bill, Newsom stated: “We know that excessive smartphone use increases anxiety, depression and other mental health issues – but we have the power to intervene.”