Boston, MA

Cell phones have been taking over classrooms. These Boston-area schools are making a stand.

Published

1 year ago

November 4, 2024

Press Room

Cell phones have been taking over classrooms. These Boston-area schools are making a stand.

Local News

The move comes after students struggled to pay attention in class following remote learning during the pandemic.

Students use their cell phone after unlocking the pouch that secures it from use during the school day. Lea Suzuki for the San Francisco Chronicle via AP

Schools across the state reported that following the pandemic — when kids were often glued to their screens for seven hours a day, if not more — students had issues letting go of their devices when they returned to in-person classes.

Teachers told principals that their students struggled to pay attention in class, were constantly distracted by their phones, and didn’t socially engage with one another in person.

Now, close to five years after the pandemic began, schools are considering what to do about their cellphone policies.

Some are beginning to use magnetic locking pouches to prevent students from accessing cell phones during the day, and others are enforcing stronger punishments if a student is found using a cell phone in class, or are even awarding those who voluntarily turn in their phones.

In the Boston Public Schools system, many schools are turning to pouches after the district awarded $842,520 to Yondr, a California-based company that makes cellphone pouches with magnetic locks. The funding covers the cost of the pouches for schools with grades 5-12 that want to use them.

As of September 2024, 31 of Boston’s public schools are either using Yondr or gearing up to implement the pouches. BPS has 125 schools in total.

Each school in the system has the autonomy to create cell phone policies and is not required to participate in the Yondr program.

The Eliot K-8 Innovation School in the North End began using the Yondr pouches in 2021 for grades 5 through 8, with nearly 350 students.

“I think the impact is what we recognized right away,” said Traci Griffith, the school’s executive director, on a call with Boston.com.

“Being a young person in America right now is really challenging with all the social pressures,” Griffith continued. “Let’s, for the seven hours, let’s support them academically, socially and emotionally and make sure families felt engaged.”

Even though parents initially expressed concerns about being unable to communicate with their children, Griffith said they reminded them they could always call the school directly to get a message though. And if an emergency happens, she emphasized the school will contact them.

Plus if something happens, each teacher has a key to open the magnetic locks of the pouches, which the students keep with them.

Griffith said that the pouches give the students the responsibility of bringing them to school and unlocking them at the end of the day. If a student forgets their pouch, they have to turn their phone in for the day.

Griffith, who plans to continue this program, said the pouches have become so ubiquitous that they have become a part of the school’s “fabric.”

“Seeing the result of our children continuing to lean into being joyful learners — that’s what we want,” said Griffith.

What schools across the state are doing

Across the state, the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief money also provided a one-year program that awarded 77 grants to schools to revise their mobile device policies and purchase equipment such as pouches, lockers, and charging stations.

Some school districts not in the grant program, such as Chicopee and Brockton, are also changing their cellphone policies. The state has 1,751 schools.

Springfield Central High School, which has about 2,000 students, was the first school in the district to use the Yondr pouches beginning in 2022.

“Coming back from COVID, we realized that the students’ dependency exponentially grew,” said Thaddeus Tokarz, principal of Central High School.

To be fair, Tokarz said, it “was the only way to communicate for about two years.”

Before the program, students charged their phones, sent text messages, and had them out on their desks during class.

So the school realized that the cellphone policy had to be addressed, and decided to use pouches to keep students off their phones while at school. Although there are always ways around it, he has found that it generally prevents cell phone use.

“It’s an imperfect science that’s been relatively effective,” Tokarz said.

Tokarz said even the cafeteria has become louder as students returned to having conversations rather than being glued to their phones.

The students “have four years to create a resume to determine the rest of their life,” said Tokarz. If they are “distracted by their phones, their resume wouldn’t be as impressive as it could have been.”

Some opt to not use pouches

Lowell High School decided to go a different direction than the pouches. Michael Fiato, the head of school, said they have elected to use cell phone boxes, where students put their phones at the start of every class period.

The 3,400 students continue to have access to their phones during passing times, advisory periods, and lunch.

“Our main priority was to take away the distraction in the classroom, to try to improve academic outcomes, engagement, improve community building, and take the phone out of the element of the classroom so students and teachers can focus on teaching and learning,” said Fiato.

The program went into effect in January of last year, and after surveying the teachers, Fiato said, “it was an overwhelming feeling” that there was “more engagement, less distractions.”

Fiato said the aim was to find a compromise with the students. Students can still connect with their families or other responsibilities, such as outside-school jobs, by allowing some periods when they use their phones.

Similarly, Sutton High School, which has around 385 students, began considering ways to get students off their phones without investing in pouches.

At one point, the school even tried giving out raffle tickets for a chance to win a gift card for any student — or teacher — who voluntarily turned in their phones at the office.

After a committee was formed with students, teachers and administrators, it was decided that the new policy would allow them to be on their phones during flex periods and lunch, but they were not allowed to be seen during class.

If a teacher sees a student’s cell phone in class, they are asked to turn it in. The first time, they can pick it up at the end of the school day. Subsequent times, their parents have to come pick up the phone. Then, the student must turn in their phone daily for the next month.

“In my view, cell phones are ubiquitous,” said Ted McCarthy, the principal. “Now, everyone has them, and often, you need to have one. But we’ve all been in a meeting with a guy who keeps checking his phone when he should be talking to you, and that’s not a productive skill.”

“But you know what?” McCarthy continued. “You’re expected to have your cell phone on and not be distracted by it.”

Beth Treffeisen is a general assignment reporter for Boston.com, focusing on local news, crime, and business in the New England region.

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Boston, MA

Ex-Yankees 1st-rounder among non-roster invitees to Red Sox spring training

Published

12 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Press Room

Ex-Yankees 1st-rounder among non-roster invitees to Red Sox spring training

Come February a former New York Yankees first-round draft pick, will get a chance to prove himself to their longtime rivals.

Left-hander T.J. Sikkema, 27, is one of seven non-roster invitees to Red Sox spring training, the club announced Tuesday.

Catcher Jason Delay, infielder Vinny Capra, lefty Alec Gamboa, and right-handers Osvaldo Berrios, Hobie Harris and Devin Sweet round out the group.

The Yankees drafted Sikkema 38th overall in the ‘19 draft. He was one of three minor league pitchers they dealt to the Kansas City Royals for former Red Sox star Andrew Benintendi at the ‘22 MLB trade deadline.

Sikkema spent the last two years in the Cincinnati Reds organization. Last year he reached Triple-A for the first time, and pitched to a 3.47 ERA over five games (four starts) with nine earned runs allowed over 23.1 innings, following the late-August promotion.

While the Red Sox had a top-ranked farm system last year, their catching depth is notoriously thin. Delay, 30, has 134 games of big-league experience with the 2022-24 Pittsburgh Pirates, including 131 behind the dish, a career .231/.333/.400 line in the majors. He spent last season with the Double-A and Triple-A levels of the Atlanta Braves organization.

Capra, 29, appeared in 47 major league games last season, 24 with the Milwaukee Brewers and 23 with the Chicago White Sox. Since his debut with the ‘22 Toronto Blue Jays, he has played 67 big-league games over the last four years.

Though a lifetime .133/.181/.188 hitter in the majors, Capra brings defensive versatility to the table. In just 58 fielding games, he has already covered third base, second, shortstop, left and right field, and made three pitching appearances.

Gamboa, 28, comes to the Red Sox after a season split between the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Triple-A Oklahoma City Comets and the Lotte Giants of the Korean Baseball League. He was the Dodgers’ ninth-round pick in ‘19, and owns a 4.23 ERA over 131 career minor league games, including 41 starts.

Berrios is one of several former St. Louis Cardinals who will be in Red Sox camp next month. The Puerto Rico native split last season between Cardinals’ Double-A Springfield and Triple-A Memphis. Working primarily in relief, he logged a 5.12 ERA and struck out 62 over 58 innings (40 games, four starts).

Harris’ name will likely be familiar to Red Sox fans, as he spent all of last season in Triple-A Worcester. The 32-year-old righty posted a 4.05 ERA with 45 strikeouts over 31 relief appearances and one start. He also has 16 games of major league experience, from his time with the ‘23 Washington Nationals.

Like Sikkema, Harris is a former Yankees draft pick; they selected him in the 31st round in 2015.

The Red Sox signed Sweet to a minor league deal last month. He has seven games of big-league experience between the ‘23 Seattle Mariners and then-Oakland Athletics. He spent last season with the Philadelphia Phillies’ Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs, with whom he posted a 5.08 ERA over 46 games, including two starts, and struck out 49 batters in 51.1 innings.

Tumbling from top spot

Entering last spring training, the Red Sox earned the top spot in Baseball America’s farm system rankings for the first time since the publication began their assessments in 1984.

“The Red Sox have returned to the top of the farm system rankings, even after dealing four prospects to the White Sox to bring Garrett Crochet to Boston,” Baseball America’s explanation stated. “No other organization can match the trio of Roman Anthony, Kristian Campbell and Marcelo Mayer, and Boston’s pitching depth has improved as well.”

The publication’s annual Prospect Handbook ranks the Red Sox 14th.

Chalk some of that up to the aforementioned trio making their respective big-league debuts and progressing out of prospect eligibility. Players like Anthony don’t exactly grow on trees.

Other top prospects, like slugging outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia, have since been traded away. (Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow has made a staggering 49 trades since taking the reins in November ’23.)

At present, most of Boston’s current top prospects are in the lower levels of the farm system. Three of the organization’s top five on MLB Pipeline are expected to debut in 2027 or later; the exceptions are lefties Payton Tolle (No. 2) and Connelly Early (No.4), who both debuted late last season but remain prospect-eligible.

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Boston, MA

Best of Boston Weddings 2026

Published

1 day ago

January 6, 2026

Press Room

Best Stationery, Gus & Ruby / Photo by Lindsay Hackney

Stationery

GUS & RUBY

At Gus & Ruby, stationery isn’t just paper—it’s personality, pressed and printed to perfection. Beloved for their inventive designs, hand-rendered illustrations, and luxurious letterpress, this New England favorite crafts suites that tell your story from the very first envelope. Founders and longtime friends Samantha Finigan and Whitney Swaffield lead their team to infuse every project with warmth, wit, and impeccable taste, making each invitation a true keepsake. gusandruby.com.

Photographer

CITYLUX STUDIOS

CityLux Studios captures weddings with the cinematic flair of a Vogue spread and the heart of a love story. Known for luminous tones, modern composition, and effortlessly emotive moments, this Boston-based team turns real life into high art. Married couple and founders Sarah and Peter blend editorial precision with genuine connection to create luminous imagery that feels as timeless as the love it celebrates. citylux.studio.

Videographer

STOPGOLOVE

Founded by filmmakers Jared Haskell and Jason McCutchen, StopGoLove turns real moments into modern, cinematic stories. Their style is clean, intentional, and emotionally honest—beautiful composition, smart pacing, and an instinct for the in-between beats that make a film feel alive. The result is wedding cinema with editorial polish and zero pretense: story first, style built in. stopgolove.com.

Floral Studio

ORLY KHON

Orly Khon doesn’t just arrange flowers; she composes living art. Known for her moody, romantic designs that balance wildness with refinement, Khon approaches each event like a painter at her canvas, blending texture, color, and movement into unforgettable floral moments. Whether it’s a delicate tablescape or a lush, architectural ceremony design, her work feels both timeless and a touch rebellious—much like the modern couples she designs for. orlykhon.com.

A wooden serving board holding a row of ten pieces of sushi, each wrapped in seaweed and topped with a crispy fried item, creamy sauce, red fish roe, and small green garnishes. A hand is holding the board.

Best Catering, Max Ultimate Food / Photo by Person Killian Photography

Catering

MAX ULTIMATE FOOD

Turning culinary imagination into edible art, this Boston-based team delivers restaurant-level dining with the precision of a luxury event planner. Creative tasting menus, impeccable service, and presentation that’s anything but predictable make every celebration unforgettable. From passed hors d’oeuvres to late-night bites, every detail is, well, ultimate. maxultimatefood.com.

Three-tiered cream-colored cake decorated with intricate piped icing swags and floral patterns, topped with small green berries and a few pastel flower petals. The cake is placed on a beige tablecloth, flanked by two framed vintage wedding photos and a silver cake server.

Best Cakes, Lizzie’s Bakery / Photo by Lushi Song

Cakes

LIZZIE’S BAKERY

Whimsical yet sophisticated, these confections are as delicious as they are striking—think handpainted details, sculptural sugar florals, and modern, clean-lined tiers. Behind the magic is Lizzie Johnson, a Food Network alum with a fine-art eye and a love of bold flavor, crafting designs that feel personal, polished, and picture perfect. Sweet beauty, inside and out. lizziesbakery.com.

A formal group portrait of nine people dressed in elegant evening attire. Eight individuals stand in a row, with two women wearing sparkly teal dresses and six men in black suits with patterned jackets and dark green ties. One man sits in front on a chair, wearing a shiny blue and green patterned tuxedo jacket with black pants, a white shirt, and a black bow tie. The background features a large framed landscape painting on a green wall, and the floor is wooden with a patterned rug in the foreground.

Best Band, Hot Mess / Photo by Shannon Bialy Photography

Band

HOT MESS

No cookie-cutter wedding playlists here. This Boston-based band is known for turning every crowd into a dance-floor frenzy, thanks to powerhouse vocals, magnetic stage presence, and an uncanny ability to read the room. Whether it’s a soulful slow jam or a pop anthem that gets Grandma on her feet, they bring the perfect blend of polish and pure fun. Simply put: They don’t just play the party, they are the party. hotmessrocks.com.

DJ

C-ZONE ENTERTAINMENT

For couples who want a packed dance floor and a soundtrack that feels uniquely theirs, this Boston-based team delivers. With decades of experience, seamless mixing, and an intuitive sense for what the crowd craves, these DJs curate moments that move effortlessly from first dance to final encore. Sophisticated, high-energy, and always in tune with the couple’s style—this is music done right. czonemusic.com.

Photo Booth

ENTERTAINMENT SPECIALISTS

A photo booth should be as stylish as the celebration itself, and this team delivers just that. With sleek setups, creative backdrops, and instant share options, they turn snapshots into unforgettable keepsakes. Whether it’s a glam booth worthy of the red carpet or a playful setup packed with props, they make every moment memorable and a whole lot of fun. entertainmentspecialists.com.

Outdoor wedding reception setup under a white tent with draped fabric and string lights. Round tables are covered with green and white floral tablecloths, each surrounded by wooden chairs with white cushions. Hanging gold geometric lanterns adorned with white and green floral arrangements are suspended from the tent ceiling. The floor is polished wood, and the background shows green grass and a stone wall.

Best Wedding Planner, Baciare Events / Photo by Constance Schiano

Wedding Planner

BACIARE EVENTS

Founders Ashley Saffer and Renée Sabo are masters of turning dream days into beautifully lived experiences. With a blend of creativity, calm precision, and genuine care, they craft weddings that feel effortless, elegant, and deeply personal. Whether it’s an intimate coastal gathering, a grand ballroom affair, or a celebration halfway across the world, their team ensures every detail is seamless. baciareevents.com.

Event Designer

TYGER EVENT DESIGN & PRODUCTION

Founded by principal Ty Kuppig, this design and production studio brings a couture sensibility to every celebration. With an architect’s eye and a storyteller’s instinct, Kuppig transforms venues into cinematic settings layered with texture, light, and mood. From sculptural floral moments to bold, modern palettes, each event feels elevated, expressive, and entirely one of a kind. tygerproductions.com.

Hairstylist

MONIKA RAMIZI, SALON MARIO RUSSO

Known for her “try-anything” attitude and calming presence, Monika Ramizi approaches bridal beauty with both artistry and ease. Whether it’s soft, romantic waves, a sleek modern updo, or something entirely unexpected, she tailors each look to the bride’s personality and vision. The result is hair that feels fresh, confident, and camera-ready from the first look to the final dance. mariorusso.com.

Makeup Artist

BEAUTY BY NELSE

For Nelse Karini, makeup is more than artistry; it’s empowerment. A self-taught talent with a passion for helping women look and feel their best, she’s known for her luminous, skin-first approach and ability to create a flawless finish that still feels like you. Brides love her mix of precision and personality—equal parts perfectionist and hype woman—and the confidence that comes with her chair-side magic. beautybynelse.com.

Bridal Boutique

L’ÉLITE BRIDAL

A destination for the fashion-forward bride, this Newbury Street institution curates an elite roster of global designers—from Oscar de la Renta and Monique Lhuillier to Berta and Ines Di Santo. With more than three decades of experience, the boutique’s expert stylists and in-house tailoring team deliver a couture-level experience that feels as personal as it is polished. Every gown is chosen for its artistry, craftsmanship, and that unforgettable moment when a bride sees herself and knows: This is the one. lelite.com.

Five women are posing in an elegant room with ornate gold-trimmed walls and a patterned carpet. Four women wear intricate white bridal gowns with lace and sheer details, each with unique designs including off-shoulder, high neck, and embellished sleeves. One woman stands out in the center wearing a bold red pantsuit with a tailored blazer. The woman seated on the floor wears a long-sleeved lace gown and a matching lace headpiece. The overall scene conveys a high-fashion bridal theme.

Best Wedding Dress Designer, Candice Wu Couture / Photo by Reinhardt Kenneth

Wedding Dress Designer

CANDICE WU COUTURE

With a couture sensibility and a flair for the unexpected, Candice Wu redefines modern bridal style. Her gowns balance romance and edge, featuring exquisite craftsmanship, sculptural silhouettes, and intricate detailing that make every look unforgettable. Whether ethereal and whimsical or sleek and daring, each design embodies her signature blend of elegance, confidence, and artistry. candicewucouture.com.

A hand wearing seven diamond rings, each with a different cut and setting. The rings feature round, oval, and rectangular diamonds set in silver or gold bands, with some bands adorned with smaller diamonds. The nails are painted pink with one nail having a white stripe. The background is blurred greenery.

Best Engagement Rings, Boston Diamond Company / Photo courtesy of Boston Diamond Company

Engagement Rings

BOSTON DIAMOND COMPANY

Discerning brides and grooms turn to this Newbury Street jeweler for more than sparkle—they come for expertise. Owner Stephanie Binder and her team of certified gemologists offer a refreshingly educated approach to fine jewelry, guiding clients through every facet of diamond selection with honesty, precision, and an impeccable eye for design. Whether sourcing an exceptional natural stone or creating something from the boutique’s Pure Luxe Lab collection of lab-grown diamonds, each piece reflects the brand’s unwavering commitment to quality and craftsmanship. Because true luxury isn’t loud; it’s brilliantly, quietly flawless. bostondiamond.com.

Wedding Bands

LONG’S JEWELERS

For more than a century, Long’s Jewelers has been synonymous with craftsmanship, integrity, and enduring style. This fifthgeneration, family-owned jeweler bridges heritage and modernity with a collection of wedding bands that balance artistry and intention. Each piece is designed to feel as effortless as it is enduring—refined in form, rich in meaning, and unmistakably elevated. A modern icon of lasting love and impeccable taste. longsjewelers.com.

Rentals

DEZ COLLECTIVE

At Dez Collective, design lives in the details. This Boston-based studio curates a thoughtful collection of furniture, tabletop, and décor that elevates weddings from stylish to unforgettable. With a deeply honed instinct for atmosphere, the team creates layered environments that feel intentional, artful, and entirely now: the kind of spaces that photograph as beautifully as they feel. dezcollective.com.

Urban Venue

BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY

A landmark of art and architecture, the Boston Public Library offers one of the city’s most breathtaking backdrops for a wedding. Beneath vaulted ceilings and along marble corridors, history and grandeur converge in a way that feels both timeless and distinctly Boston. Partnering exclusively with the Catered Affair, the venue hosts some of the city’s most luxurious celebrations, yet it’s also possible to exchange vows here in a one-hour ceremony that costs little more than a library card. Either way, the setting is unforgettable. bpl.org.

Historic Venue

THE GREAT HOUSE AT THE CRANE ESTATE

High above the Ipswich coast, the Great House at the Crane Estate feels like stepping into another era. Designed in 1928 by architect David Adler for industrialist Richard T. Crane Jr., the 59-room Stuart-style mansion crowns a 165-acre National Historic Landmark surrounded by salt marshes, barrier beaches, and sweeping ocean views. The property’s showstopper, the Grand Allée, a 2,060-foot lawn that stretches from the mansion to the water’s edge, offers a photo backdrop worthy of royalty. craneestateevents.com.

A large, multi-story white building with a gray roof is situated near a sandy beach and ocean. The building has many windows and a covered entrance supported by columns. There is a paved walkway and some greenery around the building, with sand dunes and a wooden path leading to the beach nearby. The ocean is calm and blue in the background.

Best Coastal Venue, Wychmere Beach Club / Photo by Alex Paul

Coastal Venue

WYCHMERE BEACH CLUB

If it’s possible to have glamour on the beach, this is where it lives. In Harwich, Wychmere Beach Club merges Cape Cod’s oceanfront ease with a distinctly polished edge. Expansive water views, clean architectural lines, and light-filled spaces create a setting that feels both elevated and elemental: seaside sophistication, perfected. wychmerebeachclub.com.

Rustic Venue

THE BARN AT GIBBET HILL

If “rustic” makes you think of mason jars, think again. The Barn at Gibbet Hill redefines the genre with its soaring post-and-beam architecture, polished wood interiors, and panoramic views of rolling pastureland. Set on a working farm in Groton, the venue blends country character with refined hospitality: think firefly evenings, farm-to-table menus, and sunsets that wash the hills in gold. barnatgibbethill.com.

A woman in a white, one-shoulder gown holding a bouquet stands in an ornate hallway with a golden arched ceiling and chandeliers. She faces two women in elegant dresses, one in a dark brown strapless gown and the other in a lavender tiered dress. The hallway features large mirrors, framed artwork, and intricate tile flooring.

Best Ballroom Venue, Fairmont Copley Plaza / Courtesy photo

Ballroom Venue

FAIRMONT COPLEY PLAZA

In the heart of the Back Bay, the Fairmont Copley Plaza is Boston’s grande dame—all gilded ceilings, marble columns, and chandeliers that seem to glow from another century. A Beaux Arts masterpiece with unmistakable presence, it brings drama to the classic ballroom wedding. Yet behind the opulence is a pulse of modern sophistication: flawless service, effortless style, and a setting that never goes out of fashion. fairmont-copley-plaza.com.

Getting married? Start and end your wedding planning journey with Boston Weddings’ guide to the best wedding vendors in the city.

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Boston, MA

Bruins dealing with another significant injury on defense

Published

2 days ago

January 5, 2026

Press Room

Bruins dealing with another significant injury on defense

The good news for Marco Sturm and the Bruins is that the team could get defenseman Henri Jokiharju back in action Tuesday night in Seattle.

But the potential return of Jokiharju, who has been out of Boston’s lineup since sustaining an injury back on Nov. 28, does not give Sturm a healthy blue line. Instead, the Bruins are apparently dealing with yet another injury ahead of Jokiharju’s return to action, this time with Hampus Lindholm back on the shelf with an injury.

And one that certainly sounds concerning based on what Sturm said.

“It’s not going to be a day-to-day thing,” Sturm, whose team is on a three-game point streak, said following Monday’s practice when asked about Lindholm’s injury status. “Hopefully it’s not too long, but he’s definitely going to be out for a little bit. We’ll have to do more testing when we’re back in Boston so we can go from there.”

Sturm added that Lindholm has “been hurt,” though it’s unclear if he meant that Lindholm has been hurt in the last contest if he’s been playing hurt for the last little bit here. Lindholm did finish Saturday’s game without issue (at least one that was visible), and finished with an assist and logged a pair of overtime shifts in a 22:47 night.

Lindholm is also less than a week removed from what was one of his best games of the season, with a goal and an assist in Boston’s 6-2 win over the Oilers last Wednesday.

Lindholm has not traveled back to Boston ahead of schedule, though that admittedly means very little with just one more game on deck for the B’s on this road trip.

“We just had our first appointment [Sunday] and we’re going to wait until we get back because there’s nothing we can do right now,” Sturm said when discussing Lindholm’s injury. “And then we’ll let our doctors decide our next steps.”

Lindholm, who has three goals and 14 points through 34 games this year, has already missed eight games due to a lower-body injury earlier this season.

Sturm noted that Jokiharju looked “pretty good,” which is a positive development when it comes to his potential availability for Tuesday against the Kraken. If Jokiharju is unable to go, Vladislav Kolyachonok would slide back into the Boston lineup.

The Bruins come into Tuesday’s head-to-head with the Kraken with five of a possible eight points on this road trip banked away, but are a woeful 2-6-0 with Lindholm on the shelf this season.

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