By Adam Albrecht
Branford High School plans to ban the use of cell phones and other electronic devices in classrooms starting Monday because school officials say they are too disruptive to the learning environment.
Starting May 9, students will no longer be allowed to use or have their cell phones and other devices during academic classes and hive time. The only exception is during lunch, during passing time, in study halls, according to a letter sent to parents this week from Principal Lee Panagoulias.
Upon entering a classroom, students will be expected to put their electronics in a school-provided storage device without access until the end of class, not even when leaving the room to go to the bathroom.
“I don’t see it as a cell phone ban,” Panagoulias said. He said students will still have access to their phone during certain points of the day, as long as it’s being used appropriately.
Many students said they dislike the new policy. Gabriela Alvello, a freshman, said that banning cell phones in class should not be necessary and is not fair. Students should have the choice on how to use them in school.
“It’s unreasonable,” Alvello said. “If they choose not to learn, it’s their fault.”
“I have a medical condition,” said senior Gen Madera. “If I need my phone to contact my mom for an appointment or when I’m sick, I can’t use it.”
Many students said that phones help break up the long class periods in the block schedule.
“83 minute classes are very long,” said junior Ava Ferrie. “We need a break during class.”
Some teachers, including math teacher Alicia Loesche, said they like the new policy.
“I love the no phones policy,” Loesche said. “I find that cell phones are distractions and do more harm than good.”
Other teachers think it may go too far, especially considering the last two years under the pandemic has meant increased screen time for students as part of school.
“Students struggle to regulate phone use and it’s not their fault,” said Math teacher Tom Webster. “Going from staying home with every screen on to no phones at all should not be the case. I agree there should be a rule against them but students need to build their own awareness and control themselves.”
Branford’s actions are the latest example of a school cracking down on student cell phone use. Windsor Locks High School, for example, instituted a policy in October that prohibits students from using electronic devices in class.Instead, they have to keep them in their backpack, lockers, or they can turn them in at the start of their class. In Torrington the board of education decided to buy locking pouches for student phones and mandated that all students keep them there for the entire school day. The policy caused an uproar and in March, students walked out in protest.
Under the new BHS policy, there are consequences if a student refuses to cooperate. The letter Panagoulias sent to parents spells out the following consequences:
The first offense is a conference between the student and teacher. Next is a referral to an administrator along with contact with the parents and a detention for the student. The second referral calls for a one-week cell phone restriction and parents need to pick it up at school. With a third referral the student receives a two-week cell phone restriction and a “potential” in school suspension.
The issue of how to properly and responsibly handle cell phone use in a school is a complex one with no easy fix, said Music teacher Mike Martone.
“The issues regarding cell phones and the rules pertaining to them have multiple layers,” he said. “I think it’s not just an issue of overuse, but appropriate use, which leads to a lack of focus in certain classes. I am torn on the issue, but whatever rules are handed out need to be followed by all students and staff to see if it is truly successful in fixing the school climate and respect level from person to person.”
Panagoulias said limiting cell phone use by students will create a better experience for everyone in the school.
“This is something the entire staff and I have discussed during our leadership team debriefs and we feel it will have a positive impact on the school and its learning environment.”
Editor's note: Students in Mr. Miller's Digital Journalism class contributed to this report.
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