Two Boston city councilors have penned a formal letter of concern to the city clerk about the Council president’s “conduct in meetings,” particularly in terms of the “perceived bias” that is said to be shown in her interactions with certain councilors.

Originally Published: November 4, 2024 at 5:59 PM EST

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.”

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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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APPLE INTO THE SKY For the first time since 2019, Allandale Farm is hosting its Cider in the City Community Festival. Local brews at the All & Ale Beer and Cider Garden will cost you, but performances by the JP Honk band, cornhole, cider pressing demonstrations, and perusing the vendor fair won’t cost you a dime. The farm encourages attendees to take public transportation or carpool, as parking is limited. Nov. 6, 5-9 p.m. Free. Allandale Farm, 259 Allandale Road, Brookline. allandalefarm.com

TIME CAPSULE The Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair returns for its 46th annual event, bringing together international dealers to highlight rare books, maps, and illustrations. Attendees can see the original copy of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone,” original Shakespeare works, and more. Tickets on Friday are $25, but Saturday and Sunday are free. Nov. 9, noon-7 p.m.; Nov. 10, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Hynes Convention Center, 900 Boylston St. abaa.org/bostonbookfair

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE To celebrate Veterans Day (Nov. 11) a few days early, veterans and active military — and up to four family members — can take a free ferry ride to Peddocks Island in Boston Harbor. Once on dry land, attendees can take a ranger-led tour of the island, featuring the military history of Fort Andrews and plenty of nature exploration. The event, which is hosted by nonprofit Boston Harbor Now, will feature a ceremony to honor veterans, including a wreath laying. The ferry will depart from Long Wharf at 11 a.m. sharp and ticket reservations are required. Nov. 9, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. bostonharborislands.org

APPLE DOESN’T FALL FAR Cambridge’s “The Community Grafting Project,” is a public art project to honor an apple tree that was removed from the area during the construction of two local schools. The exhibit, which highlights plant science and community efforts to restore the tree, is on view through February and will include a number of events into February to celebrate the initiative. This weekend, there will be a woodworking demo by artist Mitch Ryerson, an apple treat from chef Nate Phinisee of Asta, and more. Nov. 9, 10 a.m-noon. Free. The Foundry, 101 Rogers St., Studio 6, first floor. cambridgema.gov

POP IT LOCK IT Put on your dancing shoes! The New England Conservatory is hosting a Barn Dance, which will feature traditional Jewish and American dance stylings led by instructors Alex Cumming and Adah Hetko. Cumming is a singer, accordionist, and dancer originally from England, and Hetko is part of a Yiddish song ensemble, Levyosn, which released their debut album in June 2023. Attendees need neither past experience nor a partner. Nov. 10, 2-5 p.m. Free. Brown Hall, Jordan Hall Building, 30 Gainsborough St. necmusic.edu

SWING If you need another reason to vote on Election Day, free ping-pong could swing you. SPIN will offer a free hour of dedicated game play (typically $29-$59) to anyone who shows an “I voted” sticker or another proof of voting. Those who participate can also order from a special $9 menu after 9 p.m., featuring sliders, nachos, and alcoholic beverages. Nov. 5, 4-11 p.m. Free. SPIN Boston, 30 Melcher St. wearespin.com

LEAVE THE LIGHT ON In celebration of Diwali, the Museum of Fine Arts is offering an evening of events, activities, and a pay-what-you-wish general admission fee with a $5 minimum. From drop-in art tutorials to a performance by the Triveni School of Dance, and conversations with Laura Weinstein, the museum’s Ananda Coomaraswamy Curator of South Asian and Islamic Art, and more. Nov. 7, 5-10 p.m. $5+. Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Ave. mfa.org

Emily Wyrwa can be reached at emily.wyrwa@globe.com. Follow her @emilywyrwa.