John Hopkins started the new school year with an updated cellphone policy that allows students to carry their phones, but they must be turned off and out of sight during the school day.
Any phones seen will be confiscated and parents will have to pick them up after school. This rule also applies in the hallways while switching classes. But it does not apply in the courtyard before school.
If parents want to reach students, they should contact the school office.
Kimberly Vongsyprasom, an assistant principal at JHop, said she has taken just a handful of phones in the first few weeks of school.
“I don’t mind students having phones at school, as long as they are off and out of sight and not disrupting teaching and learning,” Ms. Vongsyprasom said.
John Frascatore, another assistant principal, said he has “personally taken about 20 phones,” since the beginning of school. Mr. Frascatore estimates about 50-60 have been taken overall among the three grade levels.
