Cell phones are becoming a central issue in Annie Wright Upper School for Girls as policies are changing and are more heavily enforced.

Currently, Annie Wright’s cell phone policy states that students are not allowed to “have their cell phones or be using their cell phones in academic classrooms or community programming spaces, including lunch, morning meeting, and chapel,” said Upper School for Girls’ Dean Annie Green.

She said the reason this is is because “[the administration] feels like it is a distractor that makes it hard to connect with one another when you are connecting with your screen and takes away from the sense of human interaction.” Green believes that these principles are what the school is trying to cultivate in community spaces.

Green believes that this policy should be self-regulated and expects that students do not bring their cell phones to community and academic spaces.

This year, Green said, the school is trying to put emphasis on the effects and consequences of cell phone usage. However, how the conversations are played out and how the policies are implemented and defined vary by age division.

When asked about how the Upper School should set examples for the Lower and Middle School, Green said that “it is an interesting concept” and reinforced the idea of how it is “important for us to be mindful of the community we share and to uphold the values of our community and to honor our relationships with others.”

Inkwell asked sophomore Rachel Kennedy and Junior Rashida Francis about their views on the cell phone policy.

Inkwell: How do you feel about the cell phone policy?

Kennedy: I understand that the Lower School and Middle school don’t have it [the freedom to have cell phones], but I feel like [the Upper School] should have it because sometimes I need to text my parents and confirm plans. Also, I know that the lunchroom is for eating, but I don’t think it’s a problem to have your phone out.

Francis: I think it’s unnecessary to say that Upper School students should not be on our phones because the Lower and Middle school have a problem with it because they’ll eventually get here and then they can have their phone.

Inkwell: What role do you think cell phones should play at school?

Kennedy: They’re helpful, like for a calculator. I think that we should be able to use them, just in appropriate ways.

Francis: When we have free time we should be able to be on [them]. Also, if our computers aren’t working, and also, sometimes people want to listen to music while they’re doing work.

Inkwell: Do you know what the cell phone policy is?

Kennedy: No; just more or less I know.

Francis: No.