The Personal Device School Day Policy supports the Guerin Catholic Mission and Philosophy of Education by creating a school environment where students can flourish academically, socially, and spiritually. Its goals are to:

Promote focus, engagement, and critical thinking in class
Encourage meaningful in-person interaction with peers and faculty
Support holistic well-being and mental health
Foster responsible and balanced use of technology


The Family Handbook language for the 2026–27 school year will read:

Personal Device School Day Policy

Student phones, smartwatches, and smartglasses must be powered off, stored away, and inaccessible for the entire school day, from before the morning bell at 8:30 a.m. until the conclusion of afternoon announcements and prayer at approximately 3:40 p.m.

For this policy, a smartwatch is any wearable device capable of sending or receiving messages, accessing the internet, making calls, recording audio or video, or otherwise functioning as an extension of a smartphone. 

Headphones, earbuds, or other listening devices may be used with laptops (not phones) only when explicitly permitted by a teacher for instructional purposes during class. At all other times, listening devices must be stored away for the duration of the school day.

Student laptops will continue to be used as instructional tools in the classroom under teacher supervision, consistent with current practice. As laptops are intended to support learning, collaboration, research, and creation under teacher guidance, they shall remain in backpacks or classrooms during lunch periods and are not permitted for use during lunch.

Failure to follow this policy will result in progressive consequences. If a faculty or staff member observes a student using or accessing a phone, smartwatch, or other unauthorized listening or communication device during the school day, the device will be collected and brought to the Front Office, where it will remain for the rest of the school day.

First violation: Device is collected and held in the Front Office for the remainder of the school day; verbal reminder and documentation.
Second violation: Device is collected and held in the Front Office; a detention is assigned.
Third violation: Considered a Level 2 offense; parent/guardian is required to pick up the device during school office hours (7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.) and meet with administration to discuss additional consequences.
Subsequent violations: Implementation of a discipline contract related to the use of personal devices.

Students who need to use a school phone for urgent or emergency reasons may do so in the Front Office or School Counseling Office with permission from a school administrator or counselor.

This policy does not change the school’s approach to student laptops. MacBooks shall continue to be used as instructional tools in the classroom under teacher supervision, consistent with current practice. As laptops are intended to support learning, collaboration, research, and creation under teacher guidance, they shall remain in backpacks or classrooms during lunch periods and are not permitted for use during lunch. This expectation supports community-building, rest, and face-to-face connection during the midday break.

Students should turn off their phones, smartwatches, and smartglasses before the first class of the day. The healthiest option is for students to lock their devices in their lockers or cars before the first class of the day and retrieve them after the final class, as research shows that physical distance from devices improves focus.

Students are not permitted to keep their devices in their backpacks because simply placing them out of sight does not remove the distraction or temptation they create. Even when tucked away, devices and notifications can draw a student’s attention away from the present moment. By removing devices from backpacks during the school day, we create an environment that minimizes these interruptions and supports students in being attentive, present, and open to meaningful academic and personal growth.

This policy is not intended to eliminate all technology or screen use during the school day. While student laptops can provide access to many of the same apps and online resources as smartphones, they are primarily instructional tools intended for learning, research, collaboration, and creation under teacher guidance. Laptops are easier for teachers to monitor and, according to research, are less addictive and distracting than smartphones and smartwatches.

With nearly 800 students, it is not feasible for the school to collect and store all phones throughout the day. We also considered classroom phone caddies or similar centralized collection methods; however, these approaches can inadvertently increase phone-checking behavior, as students repeatedly handle their devices during class transitions.

Students may request permission from a school administrator or counselor to use a school phone in designated areas, including the Front Office and School Counseling Office.

Students will continue to have access to email on their laptops throughout the school day, and email is the preferred method for non-urgent communication.

For urgent matters, parents should contact the Attendance Line or the Front Office. Staff will locate the student as needed.

Yes. Requests for phone or smartwatch use related to medical needs will be coordinated through our school nurses and the Assistant Principal/Director of Student Services. Each situation will be reviewed individually, and a plan will be created with the student and family to ensure that medical needs are met. Students seeking to use a device for health-related reasons must provide a doctor’s note indicating the necessity.

School safety experts agree that communication during emergencies is most effective when it comes directly from the school to families. Student phone or smartwatch use during these situations can interfere with safety procedures, create confusion, and spread misinformation. Guerin Catholic will use its emergency communication system to keep families informed. These expectations will be reinforced and practiced during emergency drills to ensure students understand when and how device use is permitted, helping maintain safety, calm, and clear communication throughout the school community.

Faculty and staff are committed to modeling responsible technology use for students. While adults may need to use phones or smartwatches for professional responsibilities, such as communicating with colleagues, accessing instructional resources, or managing school operations, they are expected to demonstrate limited and intentional device use during the school day. This modeling helps reinforce the school’s device expectations, supports a focused learning environment, and demonstrates healthy boundaries around technology use for the entire school community.

Teachers will adapt lessons to work without smartphones or smartwatches. While phones have sometimes been used for convenience, they are not essential for learning, and alternative tools like laptops and classroom resources will be provided to ensure lessons remain engaging and interactive.

Personal device expectations remain the same during school-sponsored field trips and retreats that take place during the school day. Students should plan to follow the same guidelines they follow on campus, with devices kept away unless explicitly permitted by a supervising adult for a specific purpose (such as travel logistics, safety, or an instructional activity). Faculty and staff will communicate in advance if a device is needed or allowed for a particular trip or retreat.

Yes. We ask parents to help reinforce the purpose and benefits of this policy and to work with their students to establish a clear plan for communication during the school day—for example, using email or the school’s communication platforms instead of texting or calling. More broadly, we encourage families to reflect on their own approach to smartphone and smartwatch use, model healthy device habits, and explore available resources on technology and adolescent development. Engaging in ongoing family conversations about balance, responsibility, and presence helps ensure that every student can flourish academically, socially, and spiritually, while developing focus, positive relationships, and overall well-being.