🛋️ We’re getting an Ikea!

📱 Should Schools Ban Cell Phones For K-8 Students?

The Madison Metropolitan School District released its new cell phone policy at Monday’s school board meeting. The policy bans phones altogether for students in elementary and middle school, but loosen restrictions on high school students using phones between periods and at lunch. [Cap Times]

Why now? In the past, it’s been left up to principals to determine the cell phone policy for their schools.

• But last November, Gov. Tony Evers signed a bill backed by both Democrats and Republicans requiring Wisconsin districts to have cell phone restrictions in place by the 2026-27 school year. School boards have until July to adopt their policies.
• The state law requires only that schools restrict cell phone usage during class, but the MMSD policy is more restrictive by instituting a total ban. [State of Wisconsin]

Going further: The policy is based on recommendations made by five UW-Madison graduate students commissioned to study the issue.

• The grad students found that MMSD students of color and low-income students were more likely to be disciplined for cell phone violations, and letting phones be used in some instances by K-8 students would only widen that disparity. [UW-Madison]

What’s the reaction? Most school staff appreciated the idea of a total ban to take the burden off teachers to enforce restrictions.

• However, some school board members were concerned that if younger students had no cell phone use at all, they wouldn’t be able to arrange afterschool care or pickups.
• The policy has the support of a group of Madison parents who call themselves “Parent Check on Tech.”

How’s your reception? Should cell phones be banned in schools all day, for part of the day, or not at all? You’ve probably got a cell phone in your pocket, so why not take it out and call us at 608-318-3367 or email us at [email protected] and tell us what you think?

🎉 ‘A Great Day to Be Black’: Hundreds lined up Wednesday to get a first glimpse of the new Center For Black Excellence and Culture on West Badger Road, a multipurpose space that celebrates Black joy and creativity with theaters, galleries, collaborative spaces, and much more.

• City Cast Madison host Bianca Martin and producer Jade Iseri-Ramos were there, and report back on today’s podcast about the grand opening. We also talk about big changes afoot on Park Street, a shakeup in the governor’s race, and, exclusively for our members, we talk about a proposal to reinstate a downtown curfew in Madison. [Madison365, 🎧City Cast Madison]

🛋️ Swedish Meatballs Incoming! Furniture giant Ikea announced it will open its first Madison store on the far west side, in the Junction Road space formerly occupied by Bed Bath & Beyond. The store is set to open this fall, and will include over 5,000 products, and, yes, a Swedish deli. [WMTV]

🗳️ Ballot Recount Doesn’t Change Anything: No results changed after Madison officials recanvassed votes from the April 7 elections. The original count included 23 votes that arrived after polls closed, but the Wisconsin Elections Commission ordered that those votes be excluded. [WKOW]

🎓 Congratulations UW Graduates! Downtown will be full of proud parents and relieved students for UW-Madison spring commencement this weekend. Students with doctoral, master of fine arts, and medical profession degrees will graduate at 5:30 p.m. Friday at the Kohl Center, while bachelor, master’s, and law degrees will graduate at noon Saturday at Camp Randall. Prepare yourself for busy streets, booked restaurants, and buzzing grads! [ 🔒WSJ, UW-Madison]

🐶 Friday Floof! Fittingly for UW graduation weekend, let’s say hi to Badger! Can you believe this sweetie was a rescue who was once a runt of the litter, but grew to an 80-pound sweetheart. He loves to snuggle but keep an eye on him – he loves to swipe sticks of butter and whole roast chickens from the counter. Share your pet pics with us!