NJ Student Phone Ban Helping Better School Environment

At one New Jersey high school, students aren't glued to their phones during the school day. 

That's because Woodbury Junior Senior High School in Gloucester County has maintained a no-phone policy for two years, requiring students to lock their phones in pouches at the start of the day and only unlock them after school.

According to the school's principal, Dwayne Dobbins Jr., "Our environment now is much more peaceful. Our students are doing so great in the classroom," he told FOX 29 News, adding that school staff have been seeing fewer suspensions.

Students Devlin King and Neveah Davis spoke to FOX 29 News about the school's no-phone policy. Without the phone in her hand, King said, she can engage with her classmates, thanks to fewer distractions, and focus on learning. Davis said that the policy has enabled her to form new friendships with peers she wouldn't have been able to connect with in middle school.

According to the students, while the policy took some time to get used to, they are pleased with the improvement in their report card grades.