*The Halloween decorations have been taken down making the cafe feel larger, and the lack of customers makes the cafe almost feel empty. Besides the janitor in the corner who mops over a sticky spot near the bathroom doors, the cafe is quiet compared to the previous weeks.

You walk up to the counter where Dashboard holds a match to light a candle that rests near the register. Dark circles outline the barista’s eyes, and Dashboard seems to be content at the calm in the cafe. 

Dashboard blows out the match, and smiles at you.*

Welcome to Bandwidth and Brew: Where we serve your scroll fuel, no matter how you take your brew!

What can I serve you today?

*Drawn back at the barista’s lack of suggestions, you take a step back and glance at the menu. The fall menu is back, replacing the Halloween specials. As Dashboard begins to fiddle with the register, you tire of the barista’s silence and ask for a suggestion.

Dashboard laughs faintly.*

I apologize for not suggesting anything earlier.

All the Halloween hallabalu has got me feeling quite exhausted.

And the holiday chaos has only just begun.

Luckily, I have found a calendar with suggestions on how to get through the holiday season with a calm and positive heart. Each week, there is a suggested practice to focus on throughout the week. Practices like spending time outdoors or practicing gratitude are listed for each week of the holiday season, and the practices are supposed to help ease your stress through the holiday season.

Would you like me to serve this wisdom to you?

*You shrug. Are the holidays stressful to you, or are they your favorite time of year? Besides, where is the proof that this calendar actually works?*

Ever the skeptic, aren’t you?

That’s alright. It just shows that you prefer to see results.

I have just the thing for you.

*Dashboard turns around, and, instead of grabbing a cup, the barista oddly grabs a bowl and starts to walk over to the stove where a large pot quietly steams.*

We’ve talked about this before, but many states have started to implement bans on phones in schools. 

But have these bans made any difference for schools? Is the lack of phones really helping students receive a better education?

Well, The National Bureau of Economic Research has some answers. In 2023, schools in Florida were impacted by the “Teachers’ Bill of Rights” which stated that cell phones were not to be used during instructional periods. Later, a complete ban of phones from first bell to last was implemented throughout the state.

According to The National Bureau of Economic Research, test scores and positive student behavior have both increased since these changes have been made in school. This shows a positive correlation between phone bans and better education.

Further, these bans have shown an increase of teachers desiring to stay in their teaching profession. 

*Dashboard walks over to the register, and hands you a bowl of chilli that swirls the air with delicious aromas.*

Here you go: I know you like your telecommunications news piping hot!

I’m experimenting with food now.