How Chicago Christian High is Bringing Connection Back to Campus
Photos provided by Chicago Christian High
What if lunch felt louder—in the best way?
At Chicago Christian High School, students are gathering around card games, board games, and real conversation instead of scrolling alone on their phones. The Commons space feels different now. There is more laughter, more energy, and more students interacting face-to-face.
This year, as part of implementing the JOMO(campus) program, the school introduced a simple but powerful idea: the JOMO Cart.
Parked in their Commons area, the cart is filled with games and hands-on activities. Because classrooms are phone-free, students now have an easy, visible alternative during study halls, breaks, focus periods, and lunch.
And it’s working.
Principal Mike Drury shares:
“We gave students time to have phones during breaks, but also provided alternatives. We have noticed more kids taking the games and playing them during their free time.”
The result?
More shared experiences
More laughter
More face-to-face connection
Instead of isolated scrolling, students are rediscovering something many schools have been missing: the joy of being together.
Building Momentum
Chicago Christian isn’t stopping here.
Next year, they plan to build on this momentum with punch-card incentives to encourage even more participation, reinforcing that connection is something worth celebrating.
But the shift isn’t just happening during lunch.
Becky Parks, Director of Learning, shared that their middle school team has also begun exploring the JOMO Hub during professional development. Teachers are equipped with practical resources to lead stronger conversations about digital habits.
That work is already reaching classrooms.
A Shift in School Culture
Many schools today are wrestling with the same quiet challenge:
Students are present—but not always connected.
Phones have slowly reshaped the rhythms of school life. Lunch periods feel quieter. Breaks are filled with scrolling. Moments that once sparked conversation or creativity are often absorbed by screens.
Most schools recognize the problem. But addressing it requires more than a rule change or a one-time initiative.
It requires a shift in culture.
This is what Chicago Christian is working toward. The JOMO cart is just one visible expression of a broader goal: creating an environment where students regularly choose connection, creativity, and conversation over passive consumption.
That’s where JOMO(campus) comes in.
JOMO provides schools with a clear, school-wide framework that equips leaders, teachers, students, and families to rethink their relationship with technology—together. Through resources and PD for staff, curriculum for students, and practical strategies for families, JOMO helps schools move beyond simply managing devices to shaping a culture of connection and joy.
If you're interested in exploring how JOMO could support a culture shift in your school, book a call with our team today.
