Dear Nona,

I have a student who tries to use her phone constantly. School rules say phones are to be in lockers. When she asks to go to the rest room, I know it’s because she's just gotten a text, or maybe wants to watch the latest TikTok videos. Help!

— Fed up with the Phone

Dear Fed up with the Phone,

Ah, The Phantom Bathroom Emergency. Nothing says “urgent” like a student clutching their pocket like it contains the nuclear codes.

Here’s the bottom line: School rules say phones stay in lockers. That means her phone has no business being in your classroom.

The game plan:

—Make the Rule Clear: “I love that you have a social life, but your phone needs to be in your locker. That’s school policy, and I follow it.”

—Use Humor to Call It Out: Next time she jumps up right after a text, just raise an eyebrow and say, “Weird timing, huh?”

—Limit “Bathroom” Runs: “You’re welcome to go—after I see your phone in your locker.”

—Don’t Engage in Debates: If she argues? Keep it short. “Not up for discussion.” Then move on.

What to Expect Next:

—She’s waiting to see if you’ll cave. Don’t.
—She wants to see what she can get away with. Show her: not much.
—She’ll grumble. Let her. Your job is to teach.

Stay strong.

— Nona

More Pro Tips

Ms. G: "I do a ‘Phone Drop’ at the start of class. If I catch one out later, they lose it for the day."

Mr. W: "I stopped making it my battle and made it their choice: ‘You can keep it in your locker, or I can hold onto it until after class. Your call.’ It works."

Mrs. L: "When students ‘forget’ to put phones away, I remind them: ‘If you can’t follow small rules, I can’t trust you with big ones.’ This works for me nearly all the time.”