Another ban is coming to area schools. State lawmakers are proposing banning cellphones in schools statewide.
It's so serious that the state wants to test it out in some schools first before deciding whether to institute it.
This comes after Lee County schools announced a cellphone ban in all schools this week, starting next year.
However, the state may not have to look far to see what impacts a cellphone ban could have on students, teachers or schools.
Gateway High School, which was recently built in Lee County, has banned cellphones since its opening.
Students who carry a phone must keep it in their backpacks or face serious consequences.
Mickie Shaw teaches English, and she's dealt with cell phones in class during her career.
“It was very easy for students to lose their focus. Get off track and even more difficult to bring them back because we're used to using our cellphones, and it's really hard to put them away," Shaw said.
GHS has banned cellphones since opening five years ago.
“When we first opened, it was definitely a challenge. They went through their periods of withdrawal,” Shaw said.
Senior Ashley Ilcus remembers the withdrawal she experienced.
“At first, it was difficult. I'm not going to lie. But now put it away, or you get in trouble,” Ilcus said.
Principal Nakeeta Watson said if teachers see a cellphone, they take it away from students, and while they can get it back at the end of the day, she explained after a third offense, parents are called to come and retrieve the phone. She says the policy has meant less trouble.
“I've been in other schools. I know the distraction that cellphones create and the drama. Most of the drama starts with the cellphones,” Watson said.
State lawmakers are considering a ban statewide. Teachers at Gateway, like art teacher Amanda Soisson, support it.
“It is interfering with their education. It's interfering with their mental health. It's interfering with them creating relationships,” Soisson said.
She said students are forming more bonds.
“If they're isolated on their phone all the time, they're not creating those relationships,” Soisson said.
Sophomore Dior Mohammed said her mood has improved and explained since ditching her phone during school hours, she has a better mindset.
“I'm not in an unproductive mindset,” Mohammed said.
Cellphones are even banned while changing classes and during lunch.
Students like sophomore Ariel Antunez admit it can be challenging.
“Sometimes it's frustrating. I think it is for the better. Sometimes you get anxiety when your phone is out of your reach,” Antunez said.
All Lee County schools will see a cellphone ban next school year. The bill proposing a statewide ban on cellphones in classrooms is currently going through the House and Senate in Tallahassee. It would ultimately have to be approved by the governor to become law in Florida.