Students Petition Against Cellphone Use Regulations At Greenwich High School

GREENWICH, CT — With students preparing to head back to class on Aug. 30, some are rallying against cellphone use changes at Greenwich High School.

At the high school level, according to the school district, phones should not be out during open blocks, lunch, in restrooms or during instructional time unless approval is given from an adult.

Appropriate use may be for instructional purposes, but also for showing digital IDs to enter the building, having an administrator or staff check an active schedule, to purchase lunch or check out items from the Greenwich High School Media Center, the school district said.

Following news of the regulations, a petition started by "GHS students for change" on Aug. 15 has garnered 963 signatures as of Friday morning.

"Greenwich Public Schools recently made a decision that would prohibit the use of cell phones in school starting this year. This would include during students’ open blocks and lunch. This 'away all day' policy was said to teach students how to 'self-regulate' their cellphone usage for adulthood," the petition's description said. "Ironically, this decision strips our ability to make decisions regarding our smartphones and to learn so-called 'self-regulation.' This new policy would directly go against the idea of freedom with responsibility."

On Wednesday, GHS Principal Ralph Mayo issued a letter to the school community on the new cellphone use regulations, and said those who believe a cellphone ban is in place are "wrong."

"As you know, the student devices have been off and away during instructional time for several years, but the biggest discussion is usage around common times like lunch and opens," Mayo wrote. "Some families and students are very pleased with this new regulation (not a policy, an administrative regulation). Some are upset. Some think there is a 'ban' on cell phones and devices at Greenwich HS (they are wrong)."

Mayo wrote that between September and December, a high school committee will be formed, made up of student government members, staff and select family members, "to have more meaningful conversations and make proper adjustments if needed."

Consequences for infractions won't begin until January, Mayo noted, to allow time to focus on redirection and education on the regulations in the first semester.

"I have heard from so many students voicing their opinions and sharing their ideas. Maybe we will go in a different direction for times like lunch," Mayo wrote.

At the elementary level, parents are being encouraged not to send their children to school with cellphones. If there is a safety need given unique circumstances, such as walking a long distance to and from school, then phones can be allowed, but they must be stored and off in lockers or backpacks for the duration of the school day.

The school district is encouraging parents to hold off on the purchase of cellphone products as students enter the middle school level.

Middle school students may also have phones for safety reasons in unique circumstances, but they must be stored away during the day.

While there should be no cellphone use during passing time, lunch or during instructional blocks in Greenwich's middle schools, students can request permission form their teacher or a staff member to use a phone for taking photos of notes on the board, or other learning strategies.

"Our grade 9-12 students use technology in a much different way, but as I am sure you all could agree, we all need to have less screen time and more personal interactions," Mayo added. "Now is the time to learn self-regulation and self-control. We are respectful to the needs of our students and believe these guidelines can help."

The topic of cellphone usage in schools has been a hot topic in Connecticut recently.

On Wednesday, the CT Department of Education released a statement urging local school districts to consider implementing recommendations contained in a position statement and policy guidance document regarding the use of personal technology, such as smartphones and similar devices, in K-12 public schools that was adopted by the CT Board of Education.

"All too often, our young people find themselves too distracted by their smartphones and disconnected from the reality of what is happening around them, including while in their classrooms, and it’s having negative impacts on their learning and mental well-being," Gov. Ned Lamont said in a news release.

"It is crucial that we adopt stronger policies to address this issue head-on. The state’s guidance provides a clear framework, but it is up to each school district to shape their own policies that meet the needs of their students and communities," Lamont added.

More information on Greenwich Public Schools cellphone use regulations can be found here.