Harvard Elementary will begin the Phone-Free School Day implementation on Tuesday, February 18, 2025. Students will be required to turn off all cell phones and store them in the classroom phone holder during the school day. This also applies to devices that provide similar functionality to a smartphone, such as a smart watch, earbuds, and smart glasses. The school day refers to the time between when the morning bell rings for instruction and when the dismissal bell rings. The benefits of a Phone-Free School Day are to increase and enhance the focus on learning, improvement of social interaction, promote physical activity, and overall student mental health and wellness.
The following outline the steps for implementation:
- Students will turn off their cell phones when the school day begins
- Students will place their phones in the classroom phone holder as they enter the classroom
- Students will retrieve their phones when the school day ends, and when permission is granted in an orderly manner
Our school will continue to encourage students and parents to follow policy. Support will be provided throughout implementation for a successful transition. Additional resources and information will be available and posted on our school website.
We thank you in advance for your continued engagement and support.