The Policy Project is bringing its Service + Advocacy Night to Southern Utah, focusing on two critical issues for the 2025 legislative session: limiting cell phone use in classrooms and combating student hunger. This event will take place on Thursday, January 23, at 7:00 PM in the Student Center Ballroom at Southern Utah University (351 W University Blvd, Cedar City, Utah).

Part of a six-stop statewide tour, the Southern Utah gathering is designed to mobilize community members, including teachers, students, local leaders, and families, to support The Focused Student Project. The project aims to enact two bills: one addressing cell phone use in classrooms and the other combating student hunger.

“When community members show up to support change, change happens,” said Emily Bell McCormick, Founder and President of The Policy Project, in a press release. “Our mission isn’t just to pass policies but to change culture and create long-term impact.”

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The first bill, “Devices in Public Schools,” seeks to reverse the widespread use of smartphones, smartwatches, and emerging technologies in classrooms—a practice linked to distractions, decreased academic performance, and social isolation. Sponsored by Senator Fillmore and Representative Welton, the bill allows Local Education Agencies to tailor policies and provides exceptions for specific educational or health needs.

The second initiative tackles student hunger, a pressing issue with one in six children in Utah experiencing food insecurity. House Bill 100, “Food Security Amendments,” sponsored by Representative Tyler Clancy and Senator Kirk Cullimore, aims to eliminate the reduced-price meal category for students in need. It also ensures access to meals during summer months through the S-EBT program and works to remove stigma around food assistance programs.

The Service + Advocacy Night will feature an overview of these bills, personal stories from students and teachers, and an interactive postcard-writing session for attendees to advocate directly to legislators. Participants will also receive advocacy training and engage in a hands-on service project—assembling over 700 snack packs for local students in Iron and Washington counties.

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Utah Food Bank / Canva
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“Showing up at this event could mean the difference in 260,000 kids in Utah having lunch this summer. It could mean a 14 percent increase in test scores for kids in the lowest income brackets because limiting cell phone use in school can do that,” said Kristin Andrus, Community Champion for The Policy Project, in a press release.

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The Policy Project’s mission to create meaningful change depends on grassroots support. The community’s presence at this event will send a clear message to legislators: Utah is ready to prioritize its students. All are welcome to attend. RSVP at https://secure.qgiv.com/for/thepolicyproject/event/fsp-southernutah.

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