Hidden in plain sight this year is a quiet but powerful cultural shift at Aquinas—one that has changed classrooms, conversations, and even the rhythm of the school day. Beginning this fall, New York State enacted its “bell-to-bell” ban on smartphones and internet-enabled devices during school hours. While the law applies to public schools, Aquinas embraced the spirit of the policy as well—not out of obligation, but out of conviction. For years, Aquinas had already limited students’phone use. Middle schoolers were never permitted to access their phones during the day; high schoolers could check theirs only during lunch. But this school year marked a new level of commitment: all students now lock away their devices for the full school day, lunch periods included. When Principal Ted Mancini ’88, P’26 spoke with News10NBC at the start of the year, he shared the heart of the decision: “We’re here to learn, and there’s lots of opportunities for kids to have access to other things outside of the school day.” Parents echoed this sentiment, excited to see their children reengaged, refocused, and reconnected. The new state policy, aims to curb digital distraction, support mental health, and foster more intentional learning environments. While some districts have debated logistics and emergency concerns, Aquinas found itself with a head start. The school’s existing culture of structure and community prepared students to adapt quickly—and, remarkably, positively. It’s a culture reset, not a restriction. Teachers report that students are: • Talking to each other more—across grades, at lunch, before the bell. • More engaged during class discussions and collaborative work. • Demonstrating improved focus and fewer interruptions. • Showing stronger social awareness and relationship- building skills. “The new cell phone policy in New York has been a fantastic change. Students have adapted very well to it. To be honest, most students have been unfazed by the change. Many don’t miss having their phones at all. More importantly, we have seen students more focused in class and less stressed/anxious because they are not constantly drawn to check for messages or get distracted by what’s going on outside of the classroom.” – Mr. Brendan McDaniels P’23 & ’25, Academic Intervention Services Coordinator “With cell phones o and put away, we’ve seen students reengage with their learning, with each other, and with the community around them. Academic honesty has strengthened, conversations have grown, and best of all, we’re seeing more genuine smiles in the hallways than ever before.” – Mrs. Ashley (Popovich) Gionta ’06, Science & Technology Department Chair Students, too, have re ected on what it means to live—even temporarily— without the pull of a screen. “As a student at Aquinas, I agree with the new cell phone policy. I think the absence of cell phones in the classroom bene ts high schools in a multitude of ways. A couple of the changes I’ve personally noticed are that the policy creates a better learning environment with far fewer distractions, making it easier for teachers to teach. It also allows for more student participation in class and more collaboration between classmates. Although I agree with the policy, I think a slight adjustment could be considered for the future— allowing limited cell phone use during lunch periods or study halls. This may bene t students’ education and even their mental health, but only if it does not take away from their learning or their in-school social interactions. Overall, I believe the absence of cell phones will be bene cial for students and their high school experience.” – Ryan Lewin ’26 “I think the new cell phone policy has helped with focusing in class, but not having my phone at school feels more restrictive and makes me feel like a younger student again. In college, no one will take my phone away or call my parents to pick it up. I understand why phones shouldn’t be used in class, of course, but not having them during lunch or study hall is really tough. Honestly, I think this is one of the most challenging New York State laws for students because it directly a ects us.”– Gabi Ferrari ’26 This shift has o ered something more than structure: it has o ered presence. It has brought back the small but important human moments that devices often interrupt—the hallway conversations, the shared jokes, the eye contact, the rediscovery of free time. While students adjust to a phone-free school day, faculty and sta began digging into the deeper questions behind the national conversation on youth, anxiety, and technology. This fall, English teacher Mrs. Karen Stevens launched a faculty and sta book club, selecting Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation as its rst read. Haidt argues that the surge in anxiety and depression among young people stems from “the great rewiring of childhood”—a shift away from play, independence, and real-world connection toward a screen-based, comparison-driven digital life. Each week, the group meets to discuss Haidt’s research, re ect on their own experiences, and consider how to support healthier habits not only at Aquinas, but also in their own homes and daily lives. Mrs. Stevens shares, “Our small faculty book group bonded deeply over The Anxious Generation, continually struck by how relevant and powerful Haidt’s research and statistics feel in our daily work with students. Chapter 8—Haidt’s own favorite—captures both the heart of the chapter and the entire premise of the book in this single passage: ‘The phone-based life is a degradation of humanity… The online world gives us cheap dopamine hits while stripping away the very experiences—shared ritual, awe, virtue—that ancient wisdom, across all cultures and centuries, has told us are the path to a meaningful life.’ We found real solace in sharing our personal experiences and gaining clearer insight into what today’s teenagers are actually facing.” Phones and technology aren’t disappearing. They are tools—powerful ones—that shape everything from communication to creativity to future careers. The goal, then, is not to reject technology but to teach students how to use it with balance, discernment, and purpose. The“o and away during the day”policy is more than a rule—it’s a reminder that the most meaningful parts of learning happen face-to-face. When students put their phones away, they rediscover something surprisingly powerful: Each other. school news What Happens When Phones Disappear 22 AQUINAS LANDMARK | SPRING 2021 | WINTER 2026
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