How are students adjusting 60 days into New Jersey’s bell-to-bell cellphone ban?

The school day is slowly getting underway inside Ms. Brittany Silvestri's classroom here at Wayne Hills High School. And for the past 60 days, there's been one less distraction competing for students' attention. Their cell phones. They've been more focused. They don't have the urge to go on their phones because they know it's not a possibility. So they're paying attention to the lessons. They're working really hard during class. They're engaging with each other and collaborating. New Jersey's bell-to-bell law went into effect this school year. All phones and internet-based devices must be put away. And while teachers say they're seeing a difference in the classroom, students admit the adjustment hasn't been easy. I do think that it's helpful for when we're in academic time, but I wish we did have our phones during lunch and study hall when we're not focusing on school. Now, each school district has its own approach to enforcing the bell-to-bell law. Here at Wayne Hills, it's an off-and-away policy, meaning students have to keep their phone away throughout the entire school day. Now, if a student breaks that, well, there are several different consequences. First strike is a Saturday. And then we move all the way up to in-school suspension, and parents have to pick up the phone. There are some exceptions, including for students with medical conditions and those who are part of the school's social media team. I like it, but it's very hard with the new phone policy, like just for us making videos, but other than that, it's great. Everyone's more engaged, I feel, and everyone's like talking to each other a little bit better. For now, students and staff are still adjusting to a school day with fewer screens and more opportunities to connect face to face. In Wayne, Amanda Eustace, News 12, New Jersey.