Maple Grove, Minn. — As students head back to class across Minnesota this week, they’ll find new expectations regarding cell phones and other electronic devices. 

“The kids are there to learn. So, it’d be a good idea to focus on the learning and what teachers are trying to teach them,” said Jamie Skjerseth of Maple Grove.

The Minnesota legislature mandated school districts adopt a clear cell phone policy by March 2025. 

It also required two principals’ organizations to design a new model policy that districts could adopt.

The resulting “Cell Phone Tool Kit,” released in July, suggests that all classrooms be phone free with few exceptions.

“This year they’re pushing it to where you can’t have phones during school hours at all. Not even during lunch or their walking hours in between classes,” explained Karin Sayler of Otsego.

Sayler supports the change for her middle school son.

“He has kids in his class that will actually use it and it distracts him a lot,” she said.

The toolkit also spells out an alternative for high schoolers.

“We cannot have them in the classroom. We have to put them in these phone holders and then we can have them in the hallway or at lunch,” said incoming Rogers High School freshman Grace Hobbins.

Hobbins has mixed feelings about her school’s new policy.

“In high school, I feel like we’re old enough to control ourselves,” she said.

“I’m not going to lie, I do like to be able to text my kids at school,” said Amelia Hobbins, Grace’s mom.

It’s a concern Maple Grove High School addressed in a letter to parents last month, saying in part:

“Students will be able to use their cell phones during passing times and lunch – added together, this amounts to 55 minutes each day! They’ll be just fine.”

Grace’s mom, Amelia, will miss the convenience but agrees that it’s needed to limit distractions, boost learning, and improve kids’ mental health.

“At the end of the day, they should keep the phones in their locker,” she said.

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Almost half of Minnesota is under air quality alerts on Monday due to hazardous wildfire smoke blowing south from Canada.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says the alerts went into effect Monday at 8 a.m. for the central, east-central, northwestern and north-central parts of the state. It’s set to expire Tuesday at 1 a.m.

NEXT Weather Meteorologist Joseph Dames says more smoke and haze are expected throughout Tuesday.  

Who’s impacted?

The agency says northerly winds are pushing the smoke down from Canada’s Saskatchewan province, and light winds will help keep the air mostly stagnant and near ground level for most of Monday.

The air quality index value (AQI) is in the red zone — meaning the air is unhealthy for all — in the state’s north-central region, including Bemidji, Roseau, and the tribal nations of Leech Lake and Red Lake.

A wider swath is under an orange alert, meaning the air is unhealthy for people in sensitive groups, including people with respiratory and heart issues, pregnant women and children.

The impacted areas include Brained, International Falls and the tribal nation of Mille Lacs.

Potential health impacts from wildfire smoke

Inhalation of smoke particles can cause adverse health symptoms including irritation of the eyes, nose and throat; coughing; chest pain and tightness; dizziness; fatigue and shortness of breath.

People with cardiovascular, heart and lung conditions are at risk of suffering strokes, as well as asthma and heart attacks, the agency says, and inhaling smoke particles can also lead to bronchitis.  

How to protect yourself

Everyone in the red and orange AQI areas is encouraged to “avoid prolonged or heavy exertion and limit time spent outdoors,” according to the agency, including outdoor workers, and adults and children out exercising or playing sports.

Others at increased risk include those who need to keep their windows open and people experiencing homelessness.

The agency encourages people in the affected areas to refrain from driving if possible and avoid idling if car travel is necessary. People are also advised against burning anything outdoors and indoors.

The agency has more tips on protecting yourself and loved ones on its website.