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.
The district confirmed that students can can email their parents during school hours.
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.
There was also some misinformation on Facebook about the policy for leaving campus. The district confirmed that freshman and sophomores are not allowed to leave campus.
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 that June meeting, Dr. Jones said one regret was that the district had implemented digital IDs, and that it would be necessary to issue regular hard copy IDs under a bell-to-bell ban.
At Thursday’s school board meeting, GHS student body president Ben Varghese shared the student point of view.
Student government president Ben Varghese and Maddie Jones at the Sept 24, 2026 BOE meeting at Cos Cob School. Screenshot from YouTube.
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.”
“Additionally, all the concerns that were brought up by ex com during our breakfast meeting with administration are being worked on right now,” he continued, noting that a key student concern pertained to the ban on wireless headphones. He said many students enjoy using them to listen to music, especially during passing time.
“In short he said, 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.”
The Greenwich Board of Education met at Cos Cob School on Sept 24, 2026. Screenshot from YouTube.
Toward the end of the meeting, Dr. Toni Jones presented superintendent strategic goals, one of which was looking at technology adjustments for the “Off and Away” policy.
“I am absolutely thrilled with what I see at the high school,” she 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.”
Jones said there were plans to collect survey data from students on the policy toward the end of the year.
As for the data on discipline, she said, “We had a medical issue very early in the school year in the student center, and there was not one video, where in the past we would have had Tik Toks and different things that would have shown up.”
Jones said parents have asked for screen-time data, and the district has a platform with a relatively new component being piloted with about 300 students.
“That partners with our ‘thoughtful use,’ because we’re trying to back down on how much technology we’re actually using.”
A letter regarding the new Cell Phone Regulation was sent to the School Community from Mr. Mayo
See also:
School Board Votes 5-3 to Direct Schools Chief to Proceed on “Bell-to-Bell” Cell Phone Ban at GHS
June 12, 2026