No phones in school period. I used to watch the kids get out at the end of the day and first thing was reach for the phone. If parents need to get in touch call the office and if its an emergency the student will be contacted immediately.
No way can you get anything done in a classroom if they have phones.
As for the NH the staff is there to monitor the patients. If they don't and you have aproblem alert the supervisor. I don't know how to "engage" the staff as well as the patients. Your playing one song at a time, hopefully its entertaineing so what shouldl be different.