GHS cellphone ban seems to be working

Although a few School Board members like Wendy Vizzo-Walsh opposed it (“Think about the handicapped! Think about mass shootings! (presumably, students could throw their phones at the perpetrator), cell phones were banned this year, and the results are good:

Three weeks into the school year, feedback on the “Away All Day” cell phone policy at Greenwich High School was positive at  Thursday’s Board of Education meeting, the first business meeting for the two new Republican members, Jeff and Jonathan Katz, who were sworn in on Aug 31.

Despite some rumors to the contrary last week about cell phones and WiFi at the high school on the Greenwich Connections Facebook group that triggered hundreds of comments, the entire school is covered by WiFi, and all laptops have access to the internet throughout the entire school day.

Last June the school board voted 5-3 to approve the new policy though there were students and even the PTAC president who testified with their opposition.

The “Away All Day” cell phone policy requires students to store their phones in their backpacks all day.

If a parent needs to reach their child, they can call their child’s house office. And, there are offices within the building where students can make a private phone call to a family member.  Students should reach out to their guidance counselor to make those arrangements.

…. Back in June, then board member Wendy Vizzo-Walsh and Karen Hirsh spoke out strongly against the ban. They were No votes, along with Paul Cappiali. Voting in favor were: Dr. Michael-Joseph Mercanti-Anthony, Veronica Chiavaroli, Bob Chaney, Sophie Koven and Karen Krause.

… At Thursday’s school board meeting, GHS student body president Ben Varghese shared the student point of view.

He said there had been abundant feedback on what he referred to as a cell phone ban. Student phones should be off and away as soon as they step foot on campus.

“While initial reception of the new policy was negative, a lot of students are noticing significant improvements in their commute to and from classes, the student center environment, and other social settings – specifically lunch, Ben said. “Cell phones being prohibited has undoubtedly made students more engaged and aware throughout the day, which we can all appreciate.”

…. “In short, the new policy was is certainly an adjustment, just like everything and that he believed students would continue to acclimate to and grow to appreciate over the course of the school year.”

“I am absolutely thrilled with what I see at the high school,” [School Superintendent Terri Jones] said. “It’s calmer. Students are playing games with one another. At student government, they were just talking with one another. And when you walk down the hall, it used to be that literally almost every student had a phone in their hand.”