Latest news with #distractionfree
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Metro schools implement cell phone ban for upcoming school year
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – Multiple metro schools are implementing a cell phone ban for students this school year. Oklahoma City Public Schools, Edmond Public Schools, Putnam City Schools and El Reno Public Schools have added this new policy to their rule books. RELATED STORY: New Oklahoma law prompts El Reno Public Schools to ban student electronic devices usage The policy says that students will no longer be permitted to use personal electronic devices throughout the entire school day, or from 'bell to bell'. This comes after Senate Bill 139 passed through the Oklahoma Legislature. Cell phones, smartwatches, tablets, and similar devices will not be allowed to be used, accessed, or displayed by students during the day, including class time, passing periods, and lunch. Putnam City Schools calls the initiative 'Pause The Screen, Chase The Dream'. The goal is to reduce distractions, improve engagement and provide a safe and respectful space for students. According to Putnam City Schools: Students must silence and store all personal electronic devices such as cell phones, smart watches, smart glasses, wireless earbuds or headphones, tablets, and similar items District-issued devices are not included in this policy Wired headphones may be used with District-issued devices Bell-to-bell means from the start of the school day to the end of the school day, including lunch and passing periods Parents and guardians needing to contact their student should call the school office. Messages will be delivered, and students may use the office phone to return calls Students may use their personal devices in the following situations: During active emergencies requiring immediate communication for safety, including calls to 911 For medical monitoring needs, such as glucose checks As part of documented accommodations in a student's 504 Plan, IEP, or Medical Plan RELATED STORY: New bill would ban phones 'bell-to-bell' for middle and high school students Schools in the metro are responding to the change. 'While we must comply with the state's legislation, open communication remains a priority to OKCPS. We will measure the impact of this policy at schools and continue to collect feedback and make adjusts as needed.' says OKCPS. 'Edmond Public Schools believes in the power of presence and the importance of all students being present physically and engaged in the learning environment.' says EPS. 'The Putnam City Schools Board of Education approved an updated districtwide personal electronic device policy in compliance with a new Oklahoma law that requires all school districts to limit the use of personal electronic devices during the school day.' says PC. 'It is important to understand that this new policy is not about punishment—it is about creating the best learning environment possible for all students. Reducing distractions in the classroom supports academic success, student engagement, and stronger social connections.' said Matt Goucher, Superintendent of El Reno Public Schools. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
CBS News
24-07-2025
- Health
- CBS News
NYC Public Schools announce cellphone ban for upcoming school year. Here's what to know.
New York City Public Schools are enacting a cellphone ban, as part of a new statewide law to eliminate distractions in the classroom. When students return to class for the 2025-2026 academic year, they will no longer be able to use personal internet-enabled devices, like smartphones, smartwatches and tablets, during the school day. Mayor Eric Adams and Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos announced the updated policy Wednesday. "We know that excessive cell phone use is harmful to our children's concentration and mental health, and, with this new policy, we will finally reduce distractions as we help our students reach their full potential," Adams said in a statement. "This policy is designed to be responsive to the diverse needs of schools, individual students, and families, and I am grateful to all of our partners for their hard work in moving this policy forward," said Aviles-Ramos. Students will be allowed to use their devices when traveling to and from school, but they must be turned off and put away while learning. There are exceptions for those who need devices for medical reasons. Schools will be required to provide at least one way for families to reach their kids in the case of an emergency and provide a secure way to store phones. The mayor said he allocated $25 million to help with the implementation at the 1,600 public schools across the five boroughs. Earlier this year, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul set aside $254 billion in the state budget for the "bell-to-bell" statewide ban. The law allows individual schools to come up with their own ways to store devices, such as leaving them in pouches, lockers or cubbies.
CBS News
21-07-2025
- CBS News
Belle Vernon Area School District implementing new cell phone policy
The cell phone has integrated itself into our everyday lives. Nationally and locally, there is a growing movement to limit distractions and keep cell phones out of students' hands while they are in the classroom. In a unanimous vote last week by the Belle Vernon Board of Education, a new cell phone policy was established for Belle Vernon Area High School students for the upcoming school year. The policy states that, "Students in grades 9-12 will be permitted to use their cell phones in the morning prior to the bell for homeroom. Students will also be permitted to access their electronic devices during their scheduled lunch period. The expectation for the remainder of the day is for all devices to be away, in a bag, and powered off." "This proactive measure aims to minimize distractions that impact academic focus and behavior. By prioritizing a distraction-free learning environment, we are committed to fostering the best possible educational experience for all our students across our schools," said Belle Vernon School District Superintendent Dr. Timothy Glasspool in a statement. Dr. Glasspool also told KDKA-TV that for K-8 students, nothing has changed. Those children are required to keep their phones off and out of sight throughout the school day if they are not leaving them at home. The new policy for high schoolers, however, does lay out consequences for those who break the new rule. A first offense will result in the phone being taken away until the end of the day and a warning being issued. The second offense will see the phone being taken away, a second warning issued, and a phone call made to the parent or guardian. The third offense will result in the phone being confiscated, the student given a consequence, and the parent or guardian left to pick up the phone from the school. The school district warns that chronic offenders of this new policy may be required to turn their phones into the office before school and then pick them up at dismissal. The school board says that while phones are away from students during the day, any parent wishing to reach their child can call the main office line.
Forbes
06-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
5 ChatGPT Prompts To Dominate In Business
5 ChatGPT prompts to dominate in business getty Your goals need your full attention. But business owners like you bounce between emails, calls, and urgent requests all day. Focus scatters. Priorities shift with every notification. What if you could silence the noise and dominate your industry instead? Transform how you approach your business with ChatGPT. Copy, paste and edit the square brackets in ChatGPT, and keep the same chat window open so the context carries through. Shiny object syndrome kills success. Winners focus on their own game. Losers react to everyone else's moves. Your business needs your full attention. Not the scraps left after distractions. Your results double when you ignore distractions and stay locked into your goals. "I want to develop laser focus for my business success. You will coach me on eliminating distractions. Ask me three questions about what I'm currently working on and what typically distracts me. Then create a personalized focus plan with: 1) Three daily practices to strengthen my focus muscle, 2) A system for evaluating new opportunities against my core goals, and 3) A morning ritual that sets me up for a productive, distraction-free day." Some people drain your energy and slow your progress. Others accelerate your success. Find the introducers, the networkers, the givers. Spend more time with them. The right partners multiply your impact without multiplying your workload. Do them favors, help them out, organize events they would love. Watch your business expand when you double down on connection. "Now that I'm focusing on my priorities, help me identify and leverage my 'domination partners' - the key people who can accelerate my business growth. First, ask me about my current network and business goals. Then guide me through creating a relationship map that categorizes my connections based on their potential impact on my success. For the high-value relationships, help me develop: 1) Specific ways I can provide value to them first, 2) Strategic opportunities for collaboration, and 3) A regular system for maintaining these crucial connections without letting them slip through the cracks." Attack your constraint Every business has one bottleneck at any given time. Find it, solve it, and growth happens. Stay curious about what's really blocking your progress. You don't know what you don't know. But uncovering your biggest challenge gives you clear targets to attack. Removing this constraint creates an immediate boost in results that feels magical. "I want to identify and overcome the single biggest constraint in my business right now. You are my strategic advisor. First, ask me specific questions about my business model, growth goals, and current bottlenecks. Then help me apply the Theory of Constraints to my situation by: 1) Identifying the one factor most limiting my growth, 2) Suggesting three unconventional approaches to eliminating this constraint, and 3) Creating a 30-day action plan focused exclusively on this constraint. Make sure the plan includes specific metrics to track progress." Create more content Key people of influence get the best opportunities. Your audience is waiting for your expertise and your unique perspective matters. Share your strong beliefs with the world if you want recognition for your work. Culture shows in content. Find your unique way of outproducing everyone and show up consistently. "My goal is to become known as a key person of influence through consistent content. Help me develop a strategy that positions me as a leader in my industry. First, ask me about my area of expertise, my unique perspective, and my target audience. Then create: 1) A content framework that highlights my strongest beliefs and unique value, 2) A realistic production schedule that plays to my strengths and preferences, and 3) A repurposing strategy to maximize the impact of everything I create . Focus on quality and consistency rather than trying to be everywhere at once." Influence by understanding Listen when people talk. Remember what they say and learn what matters to them. Ask about their priorities the next time you see them. The most successful people make others feel understood. Understanding what drives others gives you leverage in every negotiation, partnership, and sales conversation. This skill alone can transform your business results. "After my next important meeting or call, I want to create a systematic way to understand the other person better. Guide me through analyzing the conversation by asking me questions about: 1) What topics or ideas seemed to energize them, 2) Any personal information they shared, and 3) Problems or challenges they mentioned. Then help me create a contact record with key insights about their motivations, values, and priorities. Include 3 specific follow-up actions that would demonstrate I was listening carefully and care about their success." Take control with these five business domination prompts Success requires ruthless focus. Eliminate distractions and commit fully to your highest priorities when you find perfect partners who accelerate your growth, identify and attack the constraints holding you back, create content that builds your authority and truly understand what drives the people around you. Dominate in business starting today. Play to win and create your own opportunities. Access all my best ChatGPT content prompts .
