Implementation Styles for Phone-Free School Environments
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- Bell-to-Bell: Phones Locked Away
- Bell-to Bell: Phones Accessible
- Tiered Intervention
- Store and Away
- Resources
Creating a safe and focused learning environment often begins with how schools manage mobile phone use. Generation Faraday provides multiple implementation options to help schools maintain a balanced and distraction-free atmosphere while giving administrators flexibility in how devices are stored and accessed.
1. Bell-to-Bell: Phones Locked Away
Ideal for: Schools that want a completely phone-free environment throughout the school day, while still allowing students to access their phones upon entry and dismissal.
How it works:
- Each student is assigned a phone bag using a unique serial number.
- Students receive their bag when they enter school and carry it all day.
- The bag is locked upon entry and remains secure until the end of the school day.
At dismissal, students unlock their bags using designated stations and return them to storage.
Suggested equipment:
- Phone Bags: Max Lock
- Unlocking Devices: Mounted or handheld unlock docks and handheld unlock keys
- Storage: Phone Hotel (bag-friendly)
2. Bell-to-Bell: Phones Accessible
Ideal for: Schools that prefer a phone-free environment during class time but allow students controlled access to their phones during breaks, lunch, or transitions.
How it works:
- Students receive their assigned phone bag upon entry.
- During instructional time, bags must remain closed.
- Phones can be used during designated non-instructional periods.
- At the end of the day, bags are returned to storage.
Suggested equipment:
- Phone Bags: Max Magnetic, Max Velcro, Pro Magnetic (cloth), Pro Velcro (cloth)
- Unlocking Devices: Not applicable (bags remain accessible)
- Storage: Phone Hotel (bag-friendly)
3. Tiered Intervention
Ideal for: Schools that only want to secure or confiscate phones when students violate the phone policy. This approach is also useful as a step in a broader discipline ladder.
How it works:
- When a student violates the phone policy, staff request the phone.
- The device is placed in a phone bag or storage unit.
- The phone may stay with the student, the staff member, or at the front desk.
- Students retrieve their phones at the end of class or the school day. If locked, an administrator or designee unlocks the bag.
Suggested equipment:
- Phone Bags: Max Lock, Max Magnetic, Max Velcro, Pro Magnetic (cloth), Pro Velcro (cloth)
- Unlocking Devices: Mounted or handheld unlock docks and handheld unlock keys
- Storage: Phone Hotel (bag-friendly)
4. Store and Away
Ideal for: Schools that prefer phones not be kept on students during the day. Instead, devices are stored securely in lockers or centralized storage units.
How it works:
- Upon entering school or class, students store their phones in a bag and place it in a locker, phone hotel, or shielded box.
- At the end of the day, they retrieve their devices.
- If phones are stored in Max-Lock bags, they can be unlocked at designated stations.
Suggested equipment:
- Phone Bags: Max Lock, Max Magnetic, Max Velcro, Pro Magnetic (cloth), Pro Velcro (cloth)
- Unlocking Devices: Mounted or handheld unlock docks and handheld unlock keys (if using Max-Lock bags)
- Storage: Phone Hotel (bag-friendly) or Shielded Box
Choosing the Right Implementation
Every school has unique needs. Some prioritize complete phone-free environments to minimize distractions, while others prefer a more flexible approach. With Generation Faraday’s phone bags, unlocking stations, and storage options, schools can create a system that works best for their community.
For more information, explore the following:
- Take this quiz to see which Implementation Style fits your school's needs
- Download our Implementation Styles 1-Pager
- Check out the Generation Faraday’s brochure or contact me, the customer success manager at jamie@generationfaraday.com to discuss the best solution for your school.
