(WOODLAND PARK, Colo.) — Woodland Park School District (WPSD) announced new cell phone restrictions for the academic year on Tuesday, Aug. 20.

The district announced that it is eliminating cell phone use in classrooms this academic year, with classes beginning on Wednesday, Aug. 21. The restrictions require students to place their cell phones in a designated area selected by their teacher during classroom time.

Phone access will be prohibited during class unless a teacher grants access for special lessons or circumstances. The district said this initiative is designed to minimize distractions, allowing students to better concentrate on their studies and actively participate in classroom activities.

WPSD is not the first district to do this in the area, District 11 in Colorado Springs recently decided to ban cell phones to bring back “human-to-human interaction.”

“We believe that reducing cell phone use in the classroom will significantly improve our students’ focus and engagement, leading to greater academic success,” said Superintendent Ken Witt. “Our goal is to create a learning environment where students can focus on learning activities without unnecessary distractions.”

The district said that in case of emergencies or urgent matters, the school’s front office will be available to assist in communicating messages to students during the school day.

“These new restrictions align with WPSD’s commitment to providing a high-quality education and supporting the academic excellence of its students,” said a statement sent by WPSD. “By creating a distraction-free environment, the district aims to enhance the educational performance of all students.”