Breaking Free from Distractions: Lessons from Going Phone-Free at Robert Eagle Staff Middle School

How would your school culture transform if phones were no longer a daily distraction?

Under Principal Zac Stowell’s bold leadership, Robert Eagle Staff Middle School has implemented a transformative phone-free policy to strengthen school culture, improve safety, and increase student engagement. Faced with challenges like heightened conflicts, distractions, and interruptions to teaching, staff took a proactive, intentional approach to tackle the issue head-on. The results have been remarkable:

• Stronger sense of belonging among students and staff.
• Fewer conflicts and reduced drama.
• Meaningful face-to-face connections between students (wait until you see what their lunchroom looks like now).
• Improved focus, teaching, and learning.
• More proactive student support with fewer phone-related disruptions.

You won't want to miss this inspiring episode of the Generation Wellness Spotlight, where Principal Stowell shares their incredible journey and provides actionable insights to help other schools embrace a phone-free culture. Congratulations, Robert Eagle Staff Middle School, for leading the way and exemplifying what it means to be Wellness Warriors!