Northampton schools awarded $50,000 grant to support cellphone ban policy

NORTHAMPTON — Northampton Public Schools received a $50,000 grant as part of more than $625,000 in awards distributed to 17 school districts statewide by the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office to support phone-free learning environments.

Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell visited Northampton High School on October 27 to announce the awards and discuss the district's cellphone-ban policy with students and school leaders. The state launched the Phone Free School Support Grant program in May to help schools establish distraction-free learning environments during the school day.

Northampton's policy requires students to store their phones in locked Yondr pouches from the start to the end of the school day. The School Committee approved the district-wide cellphone-free policy in June.

Campbell said research shows that school leaders and teachers across Massachusetts report that cellphones and social media drive classroom distractions, shorten attention spans, increase anxiety, and contribute to cyberbullying and harassment. "Young people are facing a mental health crisis driven in large part by the constant use of their cellphones and social media," Campbell said. "During the school day, kids deserve to be able to set those distractions aside and focus on learning and building relationships with their peers."

Schools that have implemented phone-free policies are reporting increased student focus, improved peer relationships, and reductions in cyberbullying, according to Campbell. The grant funds will support expenses including phone storage, staff training, program evaluation, and accessibility accommodations for the phone-free efforts.

Superintendent Annia Azarloza said the policy represents an investment in young people's development beyond academics. "School isn't just about learning algebra or analyzing literature; it's about learning how to navigate life," Azarloza said. "It builds relationships and how to work through disagreements."

Students who participated in a roundtable discussion with Campbell described the transition as difficult but ultimately beneficial. Student Edie Adams-Sternal said she noticed that "productivity and connection between students have increased" since the policy took effect. Other students reported similar positive experiences.

Campbell acknowledged concerns from parents that phone bans would prevent them from reaching their children in emergencies. She said law enforcement and school faculty are responsible for protecting students during safety incidents and drills, allowing schools to maintain distraction-free learning environments.