Instead of confiscating cell phones, one middle school is actually telling students to bring them to school.
It's all part of a new learning process that Bayonet Middle School hopes will have students more engaged and focused this school year.
Principal Shelley Carrino tells ABC Action News that Bayonet is one of only a handful of schools in the United States employing LETIC which stands for the Learner-Active, Technology-Infused Classroom.
The idea is based on the book Students Taking Charge, it's author Dr. Nancy Sulla sought to keep students engaged in a classroom the same way they are engaged playing something like a mobile game.
Carrino sees kids hooked on games like Pokemon' Go, dedicating several hours every day to it. Carrino tells us they aren't just playing the game, they are focused and engaged in it because they want to get to the next level.
Now she wants to see that same leveling up process brought into the classroom.
"You're going to take that and translate it into the classroom, we want them to level up so once they get to a certain point now what what can we do now to get the next level," Carrino said.
Bayonet was closed last year for remodeling, administrators decided the curriculum was going to get a facelift too.
Cell phones and tablets are encouraged by teachers to be brought into the classroom, however there are still rules. There will be times when they are not allowed to be used, but when teachers give the go-ahead smart devices will be integrated into the learning process.
Wayne Jenkins is ok with his kids having cell phones on them in school, but he admits he's old-fashioned and isn't sure smart devices can actually help with the learning process.
Still, he's willing to give it a try.
"I'm going to see what comes out of it I have some pretty smart kids so we will see what happens," Jenkins said.
Meanwhile, after dropping off her daughter Carmen Torres told us she's ecstatic about the new learning process.
"Kids today are not like they were years ago, they are brilliant, energetic, creative and they are bright. I think this program is going to be really exciting, I'm excited."
