Louisville high school students embrace cellphone ban with books, games and friendship

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Jefferson County Public Schools banned cellphones in school this year, forcing students to spend their free time device-free.

School officials across the district have already noticed a difference the policy is having on students. Just last week, WDRB reported high school librarians are seeing an uptick in books being checked out.

High schoolers at Waggener are embracing the new policy by staying active and socializing. WDRB caught up with some students Wednesday as they are bringing "recess" back to high school.

Some students were seen playing cornhole, football, ladder toss and building friendships they might not have made without the cellphone policy.

"I wouldn't have know these guys if it wasn't for the no phone; I'd probably be somewhere out there on my phone," Waggener high school student Daniel Owandji said.

Waggener's principal Sarah Hitchings said discipline is down compared to this time last year, which she also credits the cell phone ban for the improvement.

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