Stillwater High School has implemented stricter cell phone rules this year as part of Oklahoma’s upcoming statewide “bell-to-bell, no cell” phone ban. The policy limits student phone use during school hours to reduce distractions in classrooms.

Assistant Principal Tommie Grant said the rule has changed daily operations at the school by drawing attention to how frequently students rely on their phones. She explained that the policy is designed to shift focus back to learning while encouraging more in-person interaction.

“Students prefer convenience, but this is a new rule, and it might not work as easily because of that,” Grant said.

Grant said enforcement has presented challenges, particularly when students try to avoid consequences by using phones while walking to lunch or leaving buildings. She added that office staff sometimes have to track down students who attempt to avoid discipline.

“A lot of students try to get around the rule, and our office staff has to step in when that happens,” Grant said.

Despite enforcement issues, Grant said teachers and parents have responded positively overall. She noted that teachers have seen more engagement in class, and parents understand the importance of limiting phone use during the school day.

“We’ve received good feedback from teachers, and parents have been mostly supportive,” Grant said.

Some students said the policy has not significantly changed student behavior. Senior Cali Bowyer, a student at SHS, said phones are still commonly used despite the ban.

“It makes no difference—people still use them,” Bowyer said.

Bowyer said one of the biggest frustrations for students is the inability to contact friends during the day. She added that if she could change the policy, she would remove the ban altogether.

“I wouldn’t have the ban,” Bowyer said.

Other students expressed safety concerns. Senior Rubi Regalado said the policy makes her feel less secure because she cannot immediately reach her parents if an emergency occurs.

“I feel less safe because we wouldn’t be able to contact a parent if an emergency happened,” Regalado said.

Although Regalado said teachers are strict about enforcing the rule and that it is fair across grade levels, she believes students may eventually push back against the policy.

“I think students will push back against it eventually,” Regalado said.