OLYMPIA, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Most school districts in Washington are planning to limit smart phone usage in the classroom this upcoming school year.

That’s according to a survey by the Washington state Superintendent’s Office, which found that 53% of school districts will restrict access to smart devices during teaching time only.

Another 31% are making students put their devices away for the entire school day.

“Our educators, parents, and families are seeing, on a daily basis, how students’ learning is disrupted—repeatedly—by their smart devices,” said State Superintendent Chris Reykdal. “As an education system, we have a responsibility to protect the learning environment, removing disruptions and ensuring our policies are updated regularly to address emerging needs.”

The Ferndale School District has been among local leaders in its policy, which only allows high schoolers to use their devices during lunch break unless they’re told otherwise by a teacher.

District spokesperson Celina Rodriguez tells My Bellingham Now that they’ve been chosen to present on the topic at the annual conference of state school directors this year.

It comes as a recent study by Common Sense Media found that young people receive hundreds of notifications on their cell phones each day, with roughly a quarter of them coming during school.