Phone use at the Upper School will be fully restricted starting next fall, according to an email sent the administration Oct 1. Cell phone use will no longer be permitted throughout the school day in an effort to promote human connection and general well-being, according to a joint email from Head of Upper School Beth Slattery and Head of Lower School Jon Wimbish.
“The reason for this policy is to encourage connection with the teacher and with peers and to minimize distractions,” the email read. “By taking collective action and fostering a strong partnership, we can enhance student learning, mental health, and wellbeing—all of which enhance the healthy, resilient learning communities we seek to create. Our collective goal is to discourage a phone-based childhood and return to one based on play and human connection.”
In order to construct a policy as beneficial as possible, a collection of students, teachers, administrators and parents will meet regularly over the next year to discuss how to deal with potential issues that may arise as a result of limiting cell phone use.Amid the actions of peer institutions of Marlborough and Windward to enact similar policies, the school will join the Coalition to Limit Access to Smartphones and Social Media (CLASS) to logistically implement the restrictions by the next school year.
Following the email, Mira Goldman ’27 said that her phone helps her feel more connected to her school.
“Although phones can be a distraction, they aid us in connecting with our peers and have a positive impact on our school days,” Goldman said. “For example, I use my phone to see what classes I have each day and to contact my friends during free periods or lunch so we can find each other and hang out.”
