Advancing educational equity & criminal justice reform in Colorado through meaningful partnerships.
06/01/2026
As DPS (and districts across the state) work towards their final voting meetings of the school year, it is really important they listen to community. Take a look at our recent blog highlighting a DPS parent and CDAC committee member, Sarah. đź“–
Link is in bio or on graphic. đź”—
If we’re serious about listening to community voice, these survey results should matter. The data doesn’t support weakening the policy for high schools. This data will be presented at the next DPS Board meeting, Thursday June 4th, let us know if you will be tuning in!
05/28/2026
The Mesa County Valley School District 51 Board of Education voted unanimously to apply the same expectration across all grades and all schools: no phones for the entire school day.
D51 students intially hated the idea of it. Then they found themselves actually focusing in class and talking to other kids between classes and they loved it. D51 is leading the way. Every Colorado district has until July 1 to adopt a cell phone policy. Make sure yours supports students with an away all day policy!
https://www.gjsentinel.com/opinion/editorials/a-logical-next-step-for-d51s-policy-on-phones/article_7270c234-bcb6-447f-8988-6569112f5b09.html
Scared yet? Instructional-time-only phone policies let kids use their phones during lunch and passing periods. Every time a phone comes out, it takes 20 minutes to refocus. That is not phone-free and some districts are already choosing this half measure for our high school students. Colorado districts have until July 1 to adopt a real bell-to-bell policy. Take action at the link in bio
phonefreeschools
The comments speak for themselves. How much propaganda did it take for us to be protecting devices that are designed to distract, increase bad mental health, and control our kids? Let’s prioritize our students’ mental health and learning and ban the phones during the school day!!
05/18/2026
High school is where educators say cell phones are the biggest challenge… yet it’s often where policies are the weakest. 📱⚠️
Colorado has a chance to lead with policies that actually support learning, focus, and student wellbeing. A true bell-to-bell, off-and-away approach isn’t about punishment, it’s about creating schools where students can fully engage, connect, and succeed.
05/18/2026
Some Colorado school boards are adopting "instructional time only" cell phone policies. It sounds like progress. But when students have phones during passing periods and lunch, they walk into class mid-game, mid-text, mid-drama. Teachers spend the beginning of every class period getting students back on track. And when phones are accessible all day, students are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, and bullying. The research is clear: the full benefits only come when phones are away for the entire school day. https://stand.org/colorado/phone-free-schools-action-center/
In a recent webinar, guest speaker, Rico Gomez, School Leader Resident at CEC Early College, shared some amazing insights on how his team’s approach is supporting incoming 9th graders to achieve a successful high school and post-secondary career. Listen in! 📢
05/11/2026
Camille is an educator in Southern Colorado. She wants what every teacher wants: a classroom where students can actually focus and they can teach.
Colorado has a real opportunity right now. Legislation requires every district to adopt a cell phone policy by July 2026. But not all policies are created equal. Bell-to-bell policies, phones away for the entire school day, are the ones that work.
Tell your school board to adopt a strong bell-to-bell policy. Join the movement: https://stand.org/colorado/phone-free-schools-action-center/
05/06/2026
A successful ninth grade start begins before students ever step into high school.
Join us Wednesday, May 13 from 11AM–12PM for a virtual conversation with Colorado educators on building stronger 8th-to-9th grade transitions and supporting ninth grade success.
Hear practical strategies from school leaders across the state and walk away with tools you can bring back to your school or district.
Register today: https://bit.ly/ngot4
