Some JHop teachers say they’ve fed up with distractions in the classroom and they are cracking down.

Scholars who play with Tech Decks – a toy skateboard small enough to fit in the hand – and gaming on laptops are two recurring problems.

The result is scholars not paying attention and goofing off, teachers say.

To combat the distractions, teachers say they are correcting bad behavior with writeups for detention. Some say they are going a step further and calling home.

Math teacher Adrianna Gill said that she has one command when she sees students playing games on their computer.

“Close the computer, I don’t want to see it,” Gill said.

History teacher Crystal Robinson-Fisher said Tech Decks are more of a toy than a fidget.

“I do think Tech Decks are distracting,” she said.

Teachers say many students are playing games only when they are allowed and if not, they will be asked to put it away.

But students who don’t, can face punishment including detention or IC. In extreme cases, parents are contacted, Ms. Robinson-Fischer said.

“Sometimes I’ll take their computer or sometimes I’m messaging home,” she said.

Teachers aren’t alone in their dislike for toy and gaming distractions in the classrooms. Some students agree with them.

Sixth-grader Jake Rodgers said there should be certain restrictions and policies to prohibit playing games in the classroom.

“No, because there is also free time and then the student who likes those games can actually do it in case, they weren’t doing it rather than doing it in class,” he said.

Sixth-grader Maxwell Saligoe-Bastin disagreed, saying Tech Decks are fun to use.

“I think we should be able to use them more because teachers don’t really like it but it’s not even distracting,” he said.