This year, Friends Select implemented a new cell phone policy: all phones will be collected by teachers before class, according to an email sent by Chris Singler on September 1st.
Some members of the Upper School faculty are concerned that cell phones may disrupt student engagement in class activities, as their goal is to create a sacred learning environment with more meaningful interactions. “It benefits students and us for the whole community,” said Norman Bayard, the Upper School Dean of Students. Norman and some Upper School faculty see this policy as a step towards enhancing the educational experience. “Our goal is just to create more space for human connections,” explained Norman.
Nandi Bayard, the President of Student Government, said that while some seniors initially expressed frustration with the new policy, many have adapted to it over time. She also emphasized the fairness of the policy: “I think it’s fair to have students put away phones during class time and then allow them to use phones during breaks and throughout the day.” However, she is concerned about urgent situations, questioning how students would contact their families if there was an emergency.
There are issues with the new policy. “People are not silencing their phones when they turn them in (ending up in disruptions during class),” Ben Yerkes ‘26 said. “People forgetting them, people getting them mixed up with other phones with the same case, and more.”
