School is back in session for West Albany High School, and not a phone is in sight. This change is due to the new executive order signed by Oregon Governor Tina Kotek on July 2, 2025. Executive Order 25-09, which bans the use of personal electronic devices, not including laptops or computers, during the school day in Oregon.
The definition stated in the executive order document is “any portable, electronically powered device that is capable of making and receiving calls and text messages and accessing the internet independently from the school’s network infrastructure.” This order is not the only mandate of its kind, as around 30 other states have limited phone use in schools. Students in Oregon, before the school year started, had doubts about this new change to phones in school, with some citing safety concerns about not having access to their devices.
However, at WAHSl, the first week of school and adapting to the change of no phones has gone surprisingly well. “I think students have done a really good job,” social studies teacher Mr. Johnston said. “It has actually gone much better than I had anticipated.” Although not being allowed to use phones during the school day is a big change, the students at WAHS have taken it in stride.
Freshman Cooper Kinion said, “The phone policy has been pretty easy, me and my friends have been connecting a lot more.” An outcome that is noticed by teachers. There are more students who are, in a sense, forced to connect with their peers, as hiding behind a phone is no longer an option. It’s amazing to see what can happen when technology is limited to this degree. Social Studies teacher Mr. Ihde said, “I didn’t see a single phone [at the assembly] and people were connected.” The focus that students had at the pep assembly showed in the spirit that everyone displayed. More bonds are being made as students turn to their peers instead of their phones when they are bored.
Many teachers are seeing the change in students and how it has helped them. “For me to go out into the hall and see kids talking to each other, looking each other in the eye, finding ways to connect that are not on a screen is one of the most magical things I have seen in my entire teaching career.” Health teacher Mrs. Bornheimer said. “I’m seeing very few, if any, violations. Kids seem to be on board and content and ok with [the phone ban] and I love that.”
Another side of this is that it is easier for students to meet new people, as ignoring someone with a phone can’t happen. “I can go sit by someone and not have to worry about if they’re just going to whip out their phone and ignore me,” Junior Molly Anderson said, “I’m getting to talk to people again.”
Overall, this first week of school has been a success for the new phone policy, with only a few phones being taken away every day. It has helped students get closer to, or perhaps meet, somebody new. In the future, things could change to a more negative view; however, the positives that will be shown may outshine these problems.
