It was hinted at during the last BOE meeting, and on Thursday, the news came.
Greenwich Public Schools families received a newsletter with information on student cell phone and device use during the school day.
The newsletter reflected a collaboration with school administrative teams across all 15 buildings.
Their letter noted that many families with children at Greenwich Public Schools had expressed concerns about the effects of early and excessive cellphone and social media usage.
Indeed, a petition about banning cell phones in school was circulated, and a movement called, "Ok to Delay" established a chapter in Greenwich for parents concerned about the effects of social media and smartphones on children.
At the early August BOE meeting, Greenwich Schools superintendent said that the middle school principals had specifically requested that going into this school year, middle school students use only school-issued devices, and no outside devices.
"That really has to do with the number of disruptions and distractions because they don't have the same level of control to turn things off, like FaceTime* and Messenger, and things that don't happen on school-issued devices," she said.
The newsletter on Thursday noted that "device usage is impacting the mental health for young people, and we aim to be responsible, supportive, and responsive in all aspects of digital use."
No cell Bell-to-Bell for K-8
In K-5, there should be no cell phone use during the school day and families are encouraged to not send phones to school with their children.
The letter says, "There are ample phones available at the school site for parents to get in touch with the school, or the student to call home. If you feel there is a safety need given unique circumstances, such as walking a long distance to or from school each day, then the phones must be off and away in lockers or backpacks for the duration of the school day."
In middle school, grades 6-8, there should be no cell phone use during the school day.
"We encourage you to delay the purchase of any cell phone products as students enter middle school. However, if cell phones are brought to school, they are to be off and away for the duration of the day, either in backpacks or lockers. There should be zero cell phone usage during passing time, lunch, or during instructional blocks."
"Students may request permission from their teacher or staff member to utilize a phone for taking pictures of notes on the board or other learning strategies, but only with permission for appropriate use."
"There should be no cell phones in clothes pockets or on the person. Off and away every day in backpacks or lockers."
"If you feel there is a safety need given unique circumstances, such as walking a long distance to or from school each day, then the phones must be off and away in lockers or backpacks for the duration of the day."
Smart Wearables for K-8
Smart wearables, such as Apple Watch, Fitbit Versa, Amazfit, Garmin Venu, Galaxy Watch, Pixel Watch, Withings ScanWatch Horizon or other wearables, should not be brought to school in K-8.
There may be exceptions and the newsletter explains that if there is a safety need such as walking a long distance to or from school each day, then the wearable must be off and away in lockers or backpacks for the duration of the school day.
In the event there is a medical reason for a wearable, such as a student who wears a monitoring device for their heart, blood sugar regulation, or insulin dependency, families are asked to meet with school administration.
If the device requires the use of a cell phone, an implementation plan should be put in place along with the approval of the wearable.
All Day Away in Grades 9-12
The preface to the new rules about cell phones at GHS notes that students must learn to self-regulate usage before they enter a world in which cellular use is necessary for work and life.
On that note, the new rule is "Phones should be 'Away All Day,' at GHS.
GHS will introduce an implementation plan beginning in September 2024, with full implementation beginning the week after the December recess.
Consequences for infractions will begin in January.
Phones should be 'Away All Day,' unless requested or approved by a supervisory adult.
That means no cell phones out during open blocks, lunch, in restrooms, or during instructional time unless approved by the teacher or supervising adult."
Appropriate use may be for instructional purposes, such as taking a picture of notes on the board, using instructional apps like decibel meters, lasers, and other useful tools, or a practical use for video recording an experiment, or creating a class project.
Other appropriate uses include showing the digital ID’s for entry to the building, for an administrator or staff to check an active schedule, to purchase lunch, or to check out items from the Media Center.
Personal Laptops
In K-8, students will utilize only the district issued laptops unless the principal has approved extenuating circumstances.
Inappropriate Use and Consequences
Any inappropriate use of cell phones or other devices will be handled swiftly and in conjunction with the Middle and High School Discipline Code of Conduct grid as established by Greenwich Public Schools for consistent implementation of disciplinary infractions.
The Code of Conduct will be found on the main page of your school’s website on or before the first day of school.
Ultimately, at all grade levels, repeated infractions will require the student to turn the phone in at the office and families may need to come to school to retrieve the device.
*Update: On Aug 16, this article was updated to correct where Dr. Jones misspoke on Aug 3 when she said 'Facebook' when she meant to say 'FaceTime.'
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