Walls Introduces New, Stricter Phone Policy

Photo Credit: Annabel Holt

On Aug. 21, SWW administration sent an email to all students and families notifying them of a change to the school’s phone policy, which prohibited use of phones during instructional time. The new policy states that students “may not use cell phones or electronic devices in the classroom unless given permission by their teacher.”

To facilitate adherence to the new policy, at the beginning of each class students are required to place their devices in cell phone holders fitted with a pocket for each student. The goal of the phone pockets is to create a physical barrier between students and the distraction of their phones during class without limiting use outside of instructional time.

The new policy also includes a three-pronged enforcement plan. Upon first violation, students are reminded to place their phones in the holder. Upon a second, the student's parents are to be notified of the violation, and the violator’s phone is to be turned into administration until dismissal. The policy states that after three or more violations a phone will be “turned into the main office at the start of the school day and returned upon dismissal; parent conference will be scheduled.”

According to 9th grade counselor Kathryn Moore, “The administration provided the phone pockets to all teachers for their classrooms.” She also said that the goal for this policy was to “reduce distractions and help students focus and better engage with course content.”

Until this year, phone policies were at the discretion of individual teachers. 

Humanities teacher Laura Webster previously required students' phones be put away during class. Webster noted that reactions to the new policy among faculty have been “highly positive.” “There are so many moving parts to teaching a class,” she said, “if we can take something away, it makes our class so much better.” Some teachers disagree with this stance but there have been no reports of policy violations. 

By comparison, student reactions have been mixed. Khiya Brown (‘28) argued that phones can help with learning, and therefore shouldn’t be under a blanket restriction. “When I have my phone, I listen to music, and music helps me focus and get my work done easier,” she said.

Declan Chada (‘26) agreed that phones don’t necessarily need to be entirely removed from classrooms. “It’s all about having the willpower not to use it for disruptive things,” he said.

Mostly, students raised logistical concerns about the new policy. Chada pointed out that not having your phone during class time can exacerbate existing connectivity issues that arise when school WiFi is too weak and students need their phone for a cellular hotspot. “We’ll have to go up and get our phones for hotspots and then immediately put them back. It’s just kind of ridiculous,” he said.

For some students, not having access to their phone may raise safety concerns. Caroline Weishaar (‘28) pointed out, “I would want it during fire drills and lockdowns so I can contact my parents.”

Other students questioned the efficacy of the policy in changing classroom dynamics. Maeve Cunningham (‘26) explained, “We’re on our computer for 90% of class anyways, and anything I can do on my phone I can do on my computer.”

Students may keep their phones for medical reasons, but that is the only exception to this policy.

As the policy takes effect, ongoing dialogue between administration, teachers, and students will be crucial to address these diverse perspectives and refine the approach as needed.