What To Do When Cell Phones Are Banned in Schools: Safe Storage Options for Teachers

Cell phones are among the most common distractions for both students and faculty. Though useful, these devices take attention away from what matters most — the day’s lesson. It’s no wonder schools across the country are beginning to ban these devices in class.

If your school has also banned cell phones, know that your institution is a step ahead of most K-12 environments — but where do you store them?

When storing cell phones banned in schools, your choices need to fulfill multiple roles besides just keeping them safe.

Here are some safe storage options that keep phones safe, intact, charged, and ready once the 3:30 bell rings.

High-Capacity Charging Carts for Large Classes

The average K-12 classroom has anywhere from 15 to 30 students. And you know what that means — roughly 15 to 30 phones per class.

For this number of phones, ordinary outlets won’t be enough. You’ll need storage that accommodates multiple devices at a time and keeps them all in one place.

If you require such cell phone storage, look no further than a high-capacity charging cart.

High-capacity charging carts are available in different device capacities and can hold and charge up to a multitude of devices, including phones.

Designated Lockers or Storage Rooms

It’s one thing to store cell phones for a class, but if you’ve banned phone use, there’s a chance you’re implementing your policy across your school. In this scenario, you’ll need larger storage options.

When it comes to high-capacity storage, it’s tough to beat designated lockers or storage rooms. Besides being able to store cell phones banned in schools, these locations are also helpful in two ways.

First, these storage options are likely already present in your facility. This means your school doesn’t need to purchase additional encasements or lockers. All you need to do is pick a locker or room and designate who can have access.

Second, you’ll also be able to enforce your anti-cell phone policy better. Because these designated areas are outside classrooms, students will not have access to their devices. The temporary suspension of access during school hours isn’t just beneficial for device security but for every student’s ability to stay engaged as well.

Charging Lockers for Device Security

One of the most common concerns — both among students and faculty — is device security. So, when you’re storing mobile phones in schools, you’ll need a storage option with multiple layers of security and not just a lock and key.

When it comes to keeping cell phones banned in schools safe, secure, and charged, there’s no better option than charging lockers.

Charging lockers encase cell phones and other larger devices into separate bays. These bays are protected by sturdy doors with LCD screens. To access a bay, a user would have to either enter a pre-assigned PIN code or use RFID authentication.

With these security features, your cell phones are protected from unauthorized access. This level of authorization and identity verification proves beneficial, especially when your K-12 institution is using shared devices.

Compact Storage Stations for When Space Is Tight

Your class sizes may be small, meaning there will only be a few devices to store.

When you’re storing around a dozen cell phones, smaller storage stations like boxes and secure casings can be ideal choices because these maximize your classroom’s space.

Smaller storage stations also keep your devices in one easy-to-locate place. This way, your teachers will easily be able to keep tabs on your students’ cell phones and protect them from unpermitted access and loss.

When it comes to storage stations with compact footprints, you don’t need to look too far. Here are some options:

• Aluminum storage cases
• Baskets
• Bins
• Portable cabinets
• Drawers

Unpopular (But Progressive) Option: Self-Storage

Banning mobile phones in schools is all about preventing distractions, but what if there were a better way to implement the ban, avoid spending on added storage, and teach responsibility at the same time?

A progressive option for storing cell phones banned in schools may be right under your nose — have students store their phones themselves. More specifically, you can require students to leave their phones in their lockers before they report to class.

Self-storage not only eliminates the need for added storage or designating staff for security but it’s also one of the simplest ways to teach students accountability.

With this method, you reduce mobile phone use in class and you provide your learners with an opportunity to practice responsibility and compliance — lessons that, at the end of the day, matter inside and outside the four walls of the classroom.

Of course, this storage option may not always be applicable, given how some activities require a degree of mobile access and connectivity. To make sure you roll out your self-storage policy seamlessly, test it out for a month and see where there are bottlenecks.

From here, you can either tweak or use the other cell phone storage options mentioned in this list.

Banning Cell Phones Requires the Right Storage Solutions

There are many storage options available if your school has banned cell phones and you need a place to keep them. The important thing is to find one that you can easily deploy (or, in the case of self-storage, implement).

In short, a storage option exists for every class or school need, but if you’re looking for a storage solution that keeps your devices safe and charged, Bretford is here.

Bretford is your one-stop shop for device charging and storage solutions designed to supercharge your school’s productivity. Find the right solution for your K-12 environment today and reach out for a free estimate.