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Blue Springs School District Superintendent Dr. Bob Jerome was a little shocked by the answer his daughters gave Tuesday about how their first day of high school went.

It went great, his oldest daughter, a junior, said. It felt different this year.

Why did it feel different? Jerome asked.

Everyone was just a lot more connected and engaged, his daughter said.

The reason no cell phones. A new Missouri law requires students to stash personal communication devices during school hours.

It has a real opportunity to make the learning environment better, to create more engagement and connection with kids and staff, Jerome said during the Independence Chamber of Commerces annual State of the Schools Luncheon on Wednesday. It's a tough change for some, but I'm ex

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